Former NBA Champion Marc Gasol retires from basketball

Marc Gasol, aged 39, has decided to retire from the world of basketball, putting an end to a remarkable career that saw him achieve great success. Notably, Gasol secured an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors and proudly earned two World Cup gold medals while representing Spain.

The younger brother of Pau Gasol, who achieved consecutive NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010, made his announcement during a press conference in Barcelona on Wednesday.

Gasol expressed that although there was a part of him that believed he could still play, he ultimately decided to extinguish that desire. He acknowledged the need to move on from his playing career.

Reflecting on his 20-year journey, Gasol stated that he wouldn't change a single moment, including the mistakes he made along the way. He expressed gratitude for his fortunate experiences and claimed to have no regrets.

Having played in the NBA for 13 seasons, Gasol spent 11 of those with the Memphis Grizzlies, where he currently holds the second-highest scoring record in the team's history. In 2019, he was traded to the Raptors and played a pivotal role in helping Toronto secure their first NBA championship.

Gasol's contributions extended beyond the NBA, as he played a significant role in Spain's World Cup teams in 2006 and 2019, and also aided his country in winning Olympic silver medals in 2008 and 2012.

Elisa Aguilar, the president of the Spanish Basketball Federation, took to social media platform X to acknowledge Gasol's legacy of success and values, emphasizing his place in the history of Spanish basketball.

Most recently, Gasol played for Basquet Girona, a team he established in 2014. Additionally, he served as the team's president, further showcasing his commitment to the sport.