Mark Gasol announced today, Wednesday, his retirement and the end of his career, during which he won the NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors, in addition to two gold medals at the World Cup with the Spanish national team. Gasol (39 years old), the younger brother of Pau Gasol, who won the NBA title in 2009 and 2010 with the Los Angeles Lakers, made his decision during a press conference held today in Barcelona, Spain.
Gasol stated, "Part of me still tells me that I can play. But no... I need to pour water on this fire. I wouldn't change a second of what has happened to me over my 20-year career. Not even the mistakes; nothing takes away from the good things. I’m very lucky."
Gasol spent 13 seasons in the NBA, including 11 seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, where he ranks second on the team’s all-time scoring list. He joined the Raptors in 2019 and helped the team win the Larry O'Brien Trophy for the first time as NBA champions.
Gasol was a key player for the Spanish national team in the World Cup editions of 2006 and 2019, winning the title both times, and also helped his country secure silver medals at the Olympics in 2008 and 2012.
Elisa Aguilar, President of the Spanish Basketball Federation, said on the social media platform "X" (formerly known as Twitter), "Mark Gasol leaves a legacy of success and values that makes him (part of) the history of Spanish basketball."
