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  From Nba.com: Gasol was a member of one of the top teams in the ACB, the top professional basketball league in Spain. He was on teams that won the ACB Championship and Junior World Championship in 1999. Playing for Barcelona's junior team, he was an integral part of the team that won the 1998 Albert Schweitzer Tournament and the 1998 European Junior Championship. Gasol was named MVP of the Spanish National Cup (Copa del Rey) after leading team to victory in Malaga, Spain. He delivered a breakthrough season in 2000-01 as a 20-year-old playing for F.C. Barcelona, playing in 29 of team's first 33 games, and averaging 11.3 points and 5.2 rebounds in 23.8 minutes. He was an early entry candidate for the 2001 NBA Draft. Gasol Won the 2001-02 NBA’s Rookie of the Year Award after posting an average of 17.6 points, 2.1 blocks, 8.1 rebounds, while shooting %51.8. 

Pau Gasol Profile

Name: Pau Gasol Saez (pow gah-SAUL)

Postion: Power Forward/Center
Nickname: N/A
Born: 07/06/1980
Status: Active
Origin: Barcelona, Spain
Height: 7-0/2m,13cm
Weight: 227lbs./103,0kg
Schools: N/A
Drafted: 2001, 1st round, 3rd pick by Grizzlies
Languages: Catalan, Spanish and English
Website: PauGasol.com & InterBasket
Teams (Jersey): Spanish National Team (4), FC Barcelona (16), Memphis Grizzlies (16)
IBN Notes: Pau is a European superstar, it seems that everytime he sets foot on the court representing his native Spain, there is a fire that is ignited.  Whether the World Championships or the Olympics (22.4 pts 7.3 rebs), Pau is an unstoppable force...


So why hasn't that translated to NBA superstardom? He has certainly been consistent, averaging 17.6, 19, 17.7 and 17.8 points per game his first four years in the league.  Perhaps it's the system, perhaps it's the lack of minutes (Pau has played the lowest average amount of minutes the last two years). Pau, like Tony Parker, has been on the tip of the tongue when basketball fans speak of NBA All-Stars, but no one has been able to actually mention his name.

Gasol was voted the 2006 Interbasket Player of the Year, as well as a member of the 2006 Interbasket All-World First Team along with Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, and Yao Ming.

Pau Gasol Links From o our forum:  Is This the Year Gasol Becomes an All-Star?  Spain Basketball Forum  Article(s) and other resources: Pau Gasol Photo Gallery (Yahoo!)