The Los Angeles Lakers plan to retire Pau Gasol’s number 16 jersey next season in a special ceremony, the Spanish player told RAC 1.
Gasol played for 7 seasons with the Lakers, who acquired him in 2008 to win consecutive championships in 2009 and 2010. The Catalan averaged 17.7 points per game, 9.9 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 52% shooting from the field during his stay in Los Angeles.
“The ceremony will be next season,” Gasol assured. “Yes. I have spoken with the organization and the Buss family. We are all very excited.”
Pau Gasol says that his jersey retirement ceremony could take place next seasonhttps://t.co/oUKsG6dDKH
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Gasol was very close to the legend Kobe Bryant, being still very close to his daughters and widow Vanessa after his death in a plane crash, in which his daughter Gigi also died.
Gasol’s jersey will be the 11th retired by the Lakers in franchise history, joining Kobe Bryant (#8 and #24), Wilt Chamberlain (#13), Elgin Baylor (#22), Magic Johnson (# 32), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (#33), Shaquille O’Neal (#34), Jerry West (#44), Gail Goodrich (#25), and Jamaal Wilkes (#52). In addition, the Spaniard will become the seventh European to have his jersey retired in the NBA.
Gasol went to the All-Star Game 6 times, won two rings with the Lakers and was included 4 times in the All NBA team.
