By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The Memphis Grizzlies announced that they plan to retire longtime team center Marc Gasol’s #33 jersey.
Gasol spent the first ten and a half seasons of his NBA career in Memphis until getting traded to the Toronto Raptors just hours before Thursday’s (7/2) deadline. During his stint with the team, the 34-year-old Spanish center was named an All-Star three times (2012, 2015, 2017) and a member of the All NBA First-Team in 2015 while winning DPOY in 2013.
Grizzlies controlling owner Robert Pera made the following statement, per Grizzlies.com:
“Marc has been a dedicated teammate, star player and pillar of this team for the past 11 seasons. He plays with a heart and a passion for the game that helped carry this franchise to seven straight playoff appearances, but what Marc has done for this organization is about more than just basketball. He was a part of a core group of players that helped shape the identity of this franchise on and off the court and were embraced by the City of Memphis. On behalf of the Grizzlies organization, I would like to thank him for his blood, sweat and dedication to the Grizzlies and Memphis. The impact he has had on this team and the city will live on, and we look forward to one day welcoming him back home to Memphis where his #33 jersey will hang in the rafters of FedExForum next to Zach and Tony.”