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The Lakers will retire Pau Gasol’s No. 16 jersey on Tuesday and he couldn’t be extra honored.
“Spotlight of my profession? I believe it’s the spotlight of my life,” Gasol told Fox Sports activities. “This second that we’re about to expertise. Having my jersey retired and receiving this honor and being with that group of individuals and unimaginable achievers, legends, it’s one thing I may’ve by no means imagined.”
It’s a becoming tribute to a person who has achieved a lot within the NBA and within the document books, together with being ranked within the prime 40 all-time in scoring, prime 30 all-time in whole rebounds and prime 25 all-time in blocks throughout his 18-season profession.
Gasol’s jersey retirement comes lower than a month after he was introduced as a finalist for the Corridor of Fame’s Class of 2023 induction.
Simply sooner or later later, he was awarded the Kobe and Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award by Vanessa Bryant on heart courtroom throughout All-Star weekend.
On the courtroom, Gasol and Bryant mixed for 3 straight Finals appearances and two titles collectively and now they are going to stay linked endlessly on the Lakers’ residence enviornment.
“When Pau retires, he can have his quantity within the rafters subsequent to mine, I actually sit up for the day when he’s giving his speech at heart courtroom in entrance of all of the followers who’ve supported him through the years. It’s going to be an superior night time.” — Kobe Bryant in 2018 pic.twitter.com/ySgXeQjOHt
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) March 7, 2023
“My quantity goes up there, in large cause, due to him,” Gasol said at a Lakers occasion in January after Jeanie Buss introduced his jersey can be retired in March. And likewise how he made me higher, how he made us higher, how he led us in these runs and the impact that he had. After which clearly not having him right here with us, it’s robust.
“Simply making an attempt to little by little take it in and simply digest and comprehend that my quantity, my jersey can be up there with these nice superb gamers and names within the historical past of our sport,” Gasol continued. “And clearly being subsequent to Kobe, seeing his identify, nonetheless emotional. And I do know that that’s going to be the triggering level for me. … So these two components collectively are only a robust cocktail.”
Gasol’s family members can be with him for his jersey retirement on Tuesday, whereas Kobe can be watching on from above.
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