Marc Gasol retires after 20-year pro career

Three-time All-Star center Marc Gasol is retiring after 20 professional seasons, he announced on social media Wednesday.

The 6-foot-11 big man last played in the Association during the 2020-21 campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers. He continued his career overseas for another two years with Spanish club Basquet Girona, which he founded in 2014.

Gasol spent 11 of his 13 NBA campaigns with the Memphis Grizzlies, earning two All-NBA nods and Defensive Player of the Year honors. He was a foundational piece for the club's "Grit and Grind" era, during which the franchise made seven consecutive playoff appearances, including its lone conference finals.

Gasol remains Memphis' all-time leader in minutes played, rebounds, and blocks. Only Mike Conley has scored more points in a Grizzlies uniform. The club plans to retire his No. 33 jersey, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.

Memphis traded Gasol to the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline in 2019. The Spaniard won his only NBA title that year, serving as the team's starting center and providing strong interior defense throughout the championship run.

"Marc has a special place in the hearts and memories of Toronto and of Canada," Raptors vice chairman and president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri said in a statement. "He's a champion on the court, where his unbelievable vision and masterful defense were key parts of our run to the 2019 title."

Gasol was also a longtime fixture on the Spanish national team alongside his Hall of Fame brother Pau. He was part of two World Cup-winning squads and captured a pair of Olympic silver medals.