Pau Gasol’s name is forever etched in Lakers history with his jersey going into the rafters on Tuesday night.

The No. 16 is the 13th jersey to be retired by the Lakers, joining his former teammate Kobe Bryant, who had both his No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys retired in 2017.

“My number goes up there, in big reason, because of him,” Gasol told ESPN.

Gasol won two NBA championships alongside Bryant, forming a lethal combination as the Lakers went to three straight Finals between 2008-2010.

The Spaniard played seven seasons in Los Angeles, averaging 17.7 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game, while shooting 52.2 percent from the field across 429 games. During his tenure in L.A., he earned three All-Star selections, one All-NBA Second Team selection, and two All-NBA Third Team selections.

Fittingly, his jersey retirement ceremony came on the same night that the Lakers faced the Grizzlies, the team that launched Gasol’s career after he was selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft.

As Gasol joined Lakers' folklore, check out the best sights and sounds from his big night at Crypto.com Arena, as it unfolded.

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Sights and Sounds from Pau Gasol’s jersey retirement

Pau Gasol thanks Lakers fans ahead of his big night.


Ahead of the game, Gasol addressed the media, discussing just how much this moment means to him.

“It really exceeds any dream or expectation that I’ve had because it means so much,” he said.

“Obviously with Kobe up there, it adds something meaningful and powerful.”


The Lakers made sure every fan had their own Pau Gasol jersey for the night.


Gasol makes his way into the arena ahead of the celebration.


Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler made sure to pull up to Crypto.com Arena to honour his former Chicago Bulls teammate.

Butler and Gasol played two seasons together in Chicago, between 2014-16.

“What’s this guy’s name? Pau? I’m here because of Pau, obviously!," Butler said. “Congrats to my brother Pau. I love you man. Much deserved, Hall-of-Fame coming soon.”


The magical moment! Gasol’s jersey is unveiled right next to Kobe Bryant’s.


A host of Gasol’s former teammates were in attendance, including Derek Fisher, Sasha Vujačić, LaMar Odom, and Metta World Peace.


During his speech at halftime, Gasol touched on Kobe Bryant and how much his former teammate and friend meant to him.

“The brother that elevated me, inspired me, challenged me to be a better player and just be a better man overall,” Gasol said.

“I miss him so much, like so many of us do.”


Catch Gasol’s full jersey retirement speech below.



Source: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/pau-gasol-lakers-jersey-retirement-los-angeles/rhq6jltpbmelhkb14u0ngilb