Lakers announce plans to retire Pau Gasol's jersey / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: USA TODAY – Scanpix Credit USA TODAY – Scanpix

In March 7th game against the Memphis Grizzlies, another number will rise to the rafters in Los Angeles as the Lakers retire Pau Gasol's No. 16.

The two-time NBA champion, who won both of those titles in L.A., played 18 seasons in the league — 6 1/2 with the Lakers.

He earned three of his All-NBA nods (four total) and three All-Star honors (six total) during his time in L.A., providing a crucial complement to Kobe Bryant on the back-to-back championship teams of 2009-10; they made The Finals in 2008 as well, losing to the Celtics in six games.

As a Laker, Gasol averaged 17.7 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.4 blocks while shooting 52.2% in 35.7 minutes across 429 games.

They acquired him from Memphis on Feb. 1, 2008, along with a second-round pick, for four players — notably including brother Marc, who became a foundational piece for the Grizzlies — and two first-round picks.

Gasol had won the 2001-02 Rookie of the Year award with Memphis, making his first All-Star team in 2006.

Until this day, the Lakers have retired Kobe Bryant's No. 8 and No. 24, Wilt Chamberlain's No. 13, Elgin Baylor's No. 22, Magic Johnson's No. 32, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's No. 33, Shaquille O'Neal's No. 34, Jerry West's No. 44, Gail Goodrich's No. 25 and Jamaal Wilkes' No. 52.

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