The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has celebrated this Saturday in Baréin The 2025 class entrance ceremony to the FIBA Hall of Fame. Promotion of which it is part Pau Gasol. The Spanish has thus put the gold brooch to a legend race that made him enter In 2023 at the Hall of Fame of Spanish Basketball and in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame of Springfield (United States).
Pau Gasol admission speech:
Good night to all, dear friends, Andreas, president of FIBA, distinguished guests and honored companions. Congratulations to all, it is an honor to be in the same generation and in the great family of basketball. It is an honor for me to be here today as a member of the FIBA Hall of Fame.
This recognition is a testimony of the collective effort of a family: first and first of all, my teammates, coaches and all the staff of each team in which I have been. I want to start recognizing and thanking the generations of players and coaches who came before me. Thanks for opening the way. Thank you for growing this game for a child like me, from a small city, Sant Boi de Llobregat.
1992 was undoubtedly a key moment in the history of basketball. The Olympic Games in Barcelona. The impact of Dream Team was more than inspiring. He gave me, and many other children around the world, a dream. Something very powerful. A dream to pursue. He expanded the horizon of how you could play the game we love. Growing, I was a bit late to develop. I played at the school of my city until 12 years. And a year later I joined my first club after my father showed me a newspaper advertisement about one of those height operations. I guess it was high enough to enter the test. We looked at each other and said: “Why not? We are going to try. I suppose that the coach liked what he saw in me, and I joined the CB Cornellà for three seasons. After those three years of much learning and with the help of my coaches and colleagues, I knew I was ready for the next chapter
I received offers from the best teams in Spain, but I was determined to play only for one: FC Barcelona. And I did. I joined the team. He was the last player in the squad, but that didn't matter. I knew that, with hard work, I could win my place. Juan Montes, a coach of mine, challenged me to improve defensively. Aíto García Reneses taught me the importance of detail and form good habits. There were five incredible seasons with FC Barcelona.
And then my way began in the NBA. In 2001, I was selected by the Atlanta Hawks, and immediately transferred to the Memphis Grizzlies. I was the second Spanish player to play in the NBA after the great Fernando Martín, also a member of the Hall of Fame. He was a young boy from Spain, excited and determined to enter a completely new world. A faster, more physical game, a different culture, a new language. But what I found in Memphis was a city and a team that welcomed me. They gave me space to grow, learn and, at some point, lead. I will always be grateful for that base.
Then, by joining the Lakers, I had the privilege of playing for the great Phil Jackson and his extraordinary coaching staff. With incredible teammates. None more important than my brother, Kobe. Our connection went much further. He was unique. He challenged me to leave everything on the court every day to become NBA champions. I will never forget how I welcomed me to the team. We build something special. It was not easy. Trust, responsibility, unwavering commitment and pure determination. I miss him already gigi a lot.
The NBA taught me to evolve. To adapt, always find new ways of contributing value to my team. From Memphis to Los Angeles, Chicago, San Antonio and Milwaukee. I lived different systems, cities, philosophies. Each stage marked me. And I will always treasure the relationships I built and the impact that each of those chapters has had in my life.
Now let's talk about the family. Representing Spain has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Wearing the selection shirt was never just competing. It was identity, pride and purpose. I remember the first time I received a physical letter inviting myself to join the U-17 team to play a European championship qualifier in Slovenia. We did the team, we qualified, and that led us to win the European U-18 in Bulgaria and the U-19 World Cup in Portugal. The Golden Boys called us.
From my debut with the absolute selection in the European of Türkiye 2001, to our last race together in Tokyo 2021, every moment has been truly extraordinary. We won three European golds, a FIBA World Cup, and go up to the Olympic podium with two silver and a bronze. But what most meant was how we did.
The family is based on trust, respect, commitment and companionship. I will name some colleagues, because without them I would not be here today. Juan Carlos Navarro, José Calderón, Jorge Garbajosa – who I think is near here – Sergio Rodríguez, Carlos Jiménez, Ricky Rubio, Rudy Fernández, Sergio Llull, Felipe Reyes and my brother Marc, among many others. Surely some of those names sound to them. Not only were they colleagues, they were brothers. Marc literally. We fight for the other, we believed each other and share the responsibility of representing our country with pride and passion.
Our coaches, I also want to mention them, were the drivers of our success. Javier Imbroda, Pepu Hernández, Sergio Scariolo, among others. His preparation, his trust, his understanding of our dynamics and how they helped build it made us more than a team. They made us a force. We build something lasting. We inspire the next generation of Spanish players, and I hope that also from other countries. So that they believe that excellence, humility and brotherhood make a difference in this world.
And that legacy means much more for me than any individual achievement. As much as this path has been defined by the teams in which I have been, it also has been for those against which I have competed. The big rivals make you better. They challenge you, they push you to evolve, they motivate you to do your best. In my international career I have had the privilege of facing some of the best players and basketball teams. The games against the United States, those Olympic finals, were the most intense games I have lived. Compete against players like Kobe, LeBron, Wade, Melo, KD … The list continues. And so many games against France, Serbia, Lithuania, Greece, Turkey, Argentina, Australia and many other great teams. I will never forget the competitiveness of players like Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitzki – who is also here -, Peja Stojaković, Yao Ming, Manu Ginobili, Andrei Kirilenko. They were not just rivals, they were basketball ambassadors. And we all raise sport. To all of them, thanks.
To the fans, they have accompanied me in each step. His energy and passion for the game always motivated me to improve. Thanks with all my heart.
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There is a Kobe phrase that says: “You have to work hard in the dark to shine in the light.” The world often sees the medals, trophies, moments under the spotlights. But what really defines an athlete happens far from public attention. The commitment to be the best version of yourself. Here I want to thank two people. A great friend and coach, Pepe Casal, who helped me develop my body. I was a very thin guy. He helped me gain muscle mass for about 10 years. And then to my dear friend, here, Joaquín Juan, who was with me in many of those dark hours for almost 20 years. So I just want to thank you, Joaquín, for your hard work, for your commitment. Keep working, keep working. Behind each achievement in my life, behind each medal, each championship, every success, every moment – also the defeats – is my family. They have been my greatest source of force. My parents raised me with values that shaped my life: integrity, humility, empathy and sense of responsibility.
Both come from the medical field. They always supported my dreams, leading me to training, without missing a single game, motivating me to be curious on and off the court, and reminding me that the most important thing is who you are, not what you achieve. To my brothers, Marc and Adrià, I feel fortunate for everything we share, build and live together. I am very proud of you and I love you very much.
And to my wife Catherine, you are my rock, my love. You helped me in each change, especially at the end of my career. After such a long race, it's not easy. And you sacrifice so much of your life. Thank you. I love you. Our wonderful children are present here, and they have noticed tonight. Being your father is the most important role of my life. And every day they remind me of what really matters. Thank you. I think it is like that for all. The families that support us, who love us, who have patience. It is impossible to measure how much of my success it really belongs to them. So this honor is as his as mine.
But in life it is not about the end or destiny. What matters most is the way. And the road continues. One of the greatest joys of my career has been to see the growth of basketball throughout the world. Today we see players from everywhere competing to the highest level. Inspiring new generations in every corner of the planet.
The game has become a universal language that unites people, beyond borders. It reflects our shared values: teamwork, resilience and passion. I feel proud to have been part of this.
And I am even more excited about what is coming. I also want to recognize the great progress we have seen in female basketball. There has always been incredible talent. But in recent years we have seen a new wave of growth and recognition for female athletes. WNBA, FIBA competitions, and the rise of female basketball at all levels are inspiring millions of girls and boys to dream. The future of basketball must include everyone, and we must support and raise our players.
Let's remain united by the growth of this beloved sport.
Thank you very much
