The Lakers will retire Pau Gasol’s No. 16 jersey on Tuesday and he couldn’t be extra honored.
“Highlight of my career? I think it’s the highlight of my life,” Gasol told Fox Sports. “This moment that we’re about to experience. Having my jersey retired and receiving this honor and being with that group of people and incredible achievers, legends, it’s something I could’ve never 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 high 40 all-time in scoring, high 30 all-time in whole rebounds and high 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 Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023 induction.
Just at some point later, he was awarded the Kobe and Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award by Vanessa Bryant on middle courtroom throughout All-Star weekend.
On the courtroom, Gasol and Bryant mixed for 3 straight Finals appearances and two titles collectively and now they may stay linked eternally on the Lakers’ dwelling area.
“When Pau retires, he will have his number in the rafters next to mine, I really look forward to the day when he’s giving his speech at center court in front of all the fans who have supported him over the years. It’s going to be an awesome night.” — Kobe Bryant in 2018 pic.twitter.com/ySgXeQjOHt
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) March 7, 2023
“My number goes up there, in big reason, because of him,” Gasol said at a Lakers occasion in January after Jeanie Buss introduced his jersey could be retired in March. And additionally how he made me higher, how he made us higher, how he led us in these runs and the impact that he had. And then clearly not having him right here with us, it’s robust.
“Just trying to little by little take it in and just digest and comprehend that my number, my jersey will be up there with those great amazing players and names in the history of our game,” Gasol continued. “And obviously being next to Kobe, seeing his name, still emotional. And I know that that’s going to be the triggering point for me. … So those two factors together are just a tough cocktail.”
Gasol’s family members will likely be with him for his jersey retirement on Tuesday, whereas Kobe will likely be watching on from above.
