Ex-Memphis Grizzlies All-Star Marc Gasol officially retires from basketball
Former Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol officially announced his retirement from basketball on Wednesday.
Gasol, 39, played 11 seasons with the Grizzlies and is one of the franchise's most decorated players. He made three All-Star game appearances in 2012, 2015 and 2017. Gasol was named the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year in 2012-13.
His defensive presence anchored Memphis during the "Grit-and-Grind" era. Memphis won its first playoff games, made the Western Conference Finals in 2013 and completed three consecutive 50-win seasons from 2012 through 2014.
While playing with the Grizzlies from 2008-19, Gasol averaged 15.2 points and 7.7 rebounds. He was traded in 2019 to the Toronto Raptors, where he went on to win an NBA championship. He last played in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2021.
Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama are two of the current Grizzlies players with notable connections to Gasol. Aldama, a Spanish native, admired Gasol while growing up and eventually paving his own way in the Spain basketball program. Jackson is the lone current Grizzlies player who was teammates with Gasol.
"He definitely had an impact on me and my growth," Jackson said. "Coming in understanding positioning defensively from a guy who already won (Defensive Player of the Year). His passing. I think his passing was really underrated."
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Marc Gasol officially retires, spent 11 seasons with Memphis Grizzlies
