On Saturday night, the Memphis Grizzlies hosted the Philadelphia 76ers for the first time this season. In addition to the regular season matchup, the Grizzlies held a uniform retirement ceremony for Marc Gasol, a legend in the organization.
The Barcelona-born center has been building his career over the years. Gasol began his career with Memphis after being selected in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft.
After joining the team during the 2008-2009 season, Gasol ignited a long and successful tenure with the Grizzlies.
During 11 seasons, Gasol appeared in more than 750 games. Throughout his tenure, he averaged 15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks.
Gasol's performance in Memphis earned him recognition as a Grizzlies legend, and he will have his jersey retired on Saturday night.
Gasol's time with the Grizzlies ended in 2019. When Memphis was looking to make a move at the trade deadline, the veteran center was traded to the Toronto Raptors, where current Sixers head coach Nick Nurse was running the show.
Gasol's stay in Toronto was short but successful. He appeared in 26 games during the 2018-2019 regular season. In the playoffs, he started all 24 games and averaged 9 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block. That same year, the Raptors won the 2019 NBA Finals.
Before Saturday's game between the Sixers and Grizzlies, Nick Nurse acknowledged Gasol's impact on his success in Toronto.
August 12, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA.Toronto Raptors' Marc Gasol, left, on the floor
Pool Photos – USA TODAY Sports
“He was a big part of Toronto’s championship team.” The nurse told reporters: According to Lauren Rosen. “He's a very good player, dude. He's very smart, tough, a great player, a great professional. I have nothing but great memories of Mark.”
Gasol played one more season with Nurse and the Raptors before being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2020-2021 season. His 52 games in LA were the last before he called it a career.
With the NBA on the horizon for the Grizzlies legend, Gasol is currently focused on a front office position with La Liga ACB team, Basque de Girona.
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