Spanish basketball great Pau Gasol is retiring from the sport after a 23-year career.
“I’m here to tell you that I’m going to retire from professional basketball. It’s a difficult decision after so many years but it’s a decision I’ve taken carefully,” 41 year old Gasol said.
Gasol, who stands 2.16 metres (7 feet 1 inch), made his professional debut in 1998 with Barca as a centre before being signed by NBA side Memphis Grizzlies in 2001.
He won NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010 while being chosen in the All-Star team on six occasions.
Gasol later played for Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs and had a brief stint with Milwaukee Bucks plus four months at Portland Trail Blazers, where injury prevented him playing.
He returned to Barcelona earlier this year, helping his boyhood club end a seven-year wait to win the Spanish championship in June.
Gasol was a talisman for Spain, helping them win the Olympic silver medal at the 2008 and 2012 Games plus bronze in 2016.
