Pau Gasol

Pau Gasol is an All-Star power forward for the Los Angeles Lakers. He is widely regarded as one of the premiere and most versatile big men in the NBA. He is the first player from Spain to ever be selected to play in the NBA All-Star game.

After winning his first NBA Championship, Gasol went to play for Spain in EuroBasket Championship. He had an impressive game. It capped off with the title after beating Serbia 85-63. Lakers.com: Gasol Wins EuroBasket Title, MVP Honors

On December 23, 2009, Gasol signs 3-year extension with the Los Angeles Lakers for $57 million, reports ESPN.com. He will earn $18,714,150 in 2011-2012, $19,000,000 in 2012-2013 and $19,285,850 in 2013-2014. [1]

On June 22, 2010 the Los Angeles Lakers conducted an exit interview with Pau Gasol. Some of the highlights include for the past few days since winning the champhionship, he has been reflecting, resting and enjoying the parade. He also mentioned that he will not play for the Spanish National Team this summer to better prepare for the next NBA season. During the off season, he would also like to expand his game more. [1]

• July 6, 1980: Born
• 2001: Debuts with the Vancouver Grizzlies
• 2003: Named as Spain's UNICEF Ambassador [1]
• 2006: NBA All-Star
• 2006: Gold Medal and MVP in FIBA World Championship
• 2008: Traded to the Los Angeles Lakers
• 2009: Wins the first NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers
• 2009: FIBA Europe Player of the Year Award
• 2009: Wins EuroBasket Title

Pau Gasol Saez was born in Barcelona, Spain on July 6, 1980. His parents are Marisa (a physician) and Agusti (a hospital administrator). He has two younger brothers: Adria and Marc.

He was selected with the 3rd pick in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. He was then traded to the Vancouver Grizzlies for power forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim. He quickly established himself as an excellent all around player and he was awarded for his exceptional performance in 2002 as the NBA Rookie of the Year.

With his outside touch, and his deceptively, tough inside presence he is widely recognized as one of the most versatile big men in the game, inviting favorable comparisons to superstars Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Garnett. In 2006 he represented the Western Conference in the NBA All-Star Game. On February 1, 2008 Gasol was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Javaris Crittenton, Marc Gasol, Aaron McKie, and Kwame Brown. With the pairing of NBA Superstar Kobe Bryant, Gasol earned his first NBA Championship.