Pau Gasol is a Spanish basketball player, playing in the center position for San Antonio Spurs.
Early years
He was born on July 6, 1980 in Sant Boi de Llobregat in Barcelona in Spain.He has two younger brothers. He played for his school team afterwards he signed EBA League team Cornella.
He ended up in Barcelona, first in their junior team, and after in the seniors.
He wanted to become a doctor but had a change of heart and quickly left the University.
In 2001 he became the Most Valuable Player in the finals of the Spanish National Cup.
Career development
He declared himself for the 2001 NBA draft and was chosen by the Atlanta Hawks. He was later traded to Memphis Grizzlies.
As a part of the team he won the Rookie of the Year award 2002, and it was the first time that a European basketball player won this award.
He quickly adjusted to agressive way of playing in the NBA and became popular.
In 2006 he had the honors to be the first Spanish basketball player and the first player for Memphis Grizzlies to be selected to the All Star game.
February 2008 brought him a transfer to a new team: Los Angeles Lakers.
In 2009 he signed a longer contract with LA Lakers, for another three years. The contract was worth $65 million.
In 2014 he signed with Chicago Bulls and two years later he was on his way to San Antonio Spurs.
Playing for his home country he won a gold medal in 2006 FIBA World Championship. He was awarded as the most valuable player in the whole tournament.
He plays for the Spanish National team and they won two silver medals at the Olympic games: first in Beijing in 2008, and the second in London in 2012.
In 2012 in London he was chosen to carry a Spanish flag at the opening of the Olympic Games.
He was elected to the Executive Committee of the Board of Player Representatives of the NBA for a period of three years.
Personal life
In 2009 he started dating Silvia Lopez Castro, a Spanish cheerleader and stayed with her for a very long period.
Today he is in a happy relationship with Catherine McDonnell, an American girl, currently working in Equity Research Sales at Guggenheim Partners. The rumuors are they are soon to be engaged.
Philantropic work
He is a major philanthropist and a very generous person. He sponsored free basketball tickets through a “Pau’s Amigos” campagne for a period of six years.
He is an ambassador for UNICEF Comittee for his home country Spain. This resulted him in traveling to Africa and help raising funds for children fighting against HIV in that part of the world.
He was involved with a lot of Memphis’s organizations which are promotingbeducation and non – violence.
Quick summary
Full name: Pau Gasol Saez
Date of Birth:July 6, 1980
Birthplace: Barcelona, Spain
Profession: NBA basketball player
Age: 37
Height: 2,13 m
Weight: 113 kgs
Net worth: $ 65 million