Lakers Retire Pau Gasol’s No. 16 Jersey, Honoring One of the Best Big Men in NBA History
Los Angeles Lakers retire Pau Gasol's No. 16 jersey in honor of his outstanding career
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On March 7, the Los Angeles Lakers retired Pau Gasol’s No. 16 jersey at the Crypto.com Arena. It has now been placed alongside the jerseys of other basketball legends such as Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The Lakers traded for Pau Gasol during the 2007-08 season, and he earned three All-Star selections, two All-NBA Third Team selections, and one All-NBA Second Team selection in his Lakers uniform. He was an essential player in the Lakers’ championship wins of 2009 and 2010, mainly due to his remarkable performance in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals against the Celtics.
In that game, Gasol finished with 19 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. Former Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said Gasol was “possessed” during that game and showed the physicality needed to win.
Gasol played 429 regular season games with the Lakers, with an average of 17.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game. In addition to his time with the Lakers, Gasol played for the Memphis Grizzlies, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, and Milwaukee Bucks.
The Los Angeles Times has ranked Gasol as the 12th most outstanding player in franchise history in 2022, acknowledging his achievements. He was also ranked as the fifth-best international player of all time by HoopsHype in 2021, behind Hakeem Olajuwon, Dirk Nowitzki, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Steve Nash.
Related: Rafael Nadal pays heartfelt tribute to Pau Gasol as Lakers honor him by retiring his jersey
Pau Gasol’s Jersey Retired by Lakers in Honor of Career Accomplishments
Pau Gasol’s number 16 jersey was retired by the Lakers on March 7, 2023, in a ceremony during halftime of the game against the Grizzlies. This made Gasol the 14th player in Lakers history to have his number retired, joining other greats like Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Gasol played for the Lakers for over six seasons and helped lead the team to two NBA championships in 2009 and 2010. He was also a 6-time All-Star and a 4-time All-NBA selection during his career.
In addition to his on-court achievements, Gasol has also been known for his humanitarian work off the court. He is a UNICEF ambassador and has been involved in various charitable efforts throughout his career.
The Lakers’ decision to retire Gasol’s jersey highlights his legacy as a talented player who made a significant impact on the team and the NBA as a whole. Gasol’s number 16 will now hang in the rafters alongside other Lakers legends, cementing his place in team history.
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Vivek Yadav
(624 Articles Published)