End of a chapter.
The 39-year-old center Marc Gasol, who helped the Toronto Raptors win an NBA title and led Spain to two FIBA World Cup gold medals, announced his retirement from playing basketball.
"End of a chapter. Thank you," he wrote on social media along with a five-minute video looking back on his basketball career.
In the post, he mused of being lost, finding his place in life, and what was next for him.
"Finally, the moment you were so afraid of has arrived. The one that makes you think, what's next? A question that's been chasing you all your life, as well as many others," he said in the video.
"If you were all made of the same stuff, why do you feel so different sometimes? So... out of place?"
Marc Gasol first played in FC Barcelona and CB Girona in Spain.
"There, for the first time, you feel like you have found a place where you can be yourself. But just when you thought you'd finally found a home, the club you love sinks and disappears. What's next?" he asked.
He followed his brother Pau Gasol when he was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies. And as fate would have it, Marc too would eventually suit up for the same team in 2008.
"You do what you believe in. You want more. Even when you lose, you want more. And then you start to win. And when you win, you want even more. You have found a second home, and probably a better hairstyle," Gasol said.
In eleven seasons with Memphis, Gasol became a three-time NBA All-Star and was hailed the 2013 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
He was moved to the Toronto Raptors in 2019, where he helped the squad win an NBA title. "You have already found your path. You won't get lost. You reach the top," Gasol said in the video.GNG FOREVER 💙 🐻 https://t.co/ZIxIw81iLP
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 31, 2024
In suiting up for Spain, the younger Gasol helped the national team win two FIBA EuroBasket gold medals, two championships in the 2006 and the 2019 FIBA World Cups, along with two Olympic silver medals in 2008 and 2012.Have some rosé for us, Champ.
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 31, 2024
Happy retirement 🫶@MarcGasol pic.twitter.com/Ex2IOYYPZz
GRACIAS, GRACIAS y GRACIAS, @MarcGasol ??
— Baloncesto España (@BaloncestoESP) January 31, 2024
Afortunados de haber podido disfrutar de una carrera única 🙏#LaFamilia #SomosEquipo pic.twitter.com/yq2bFgR4lG
"You've made so many friends. You've achieved your childhood dream. But there's still something missing. What's next?" He asked.
Gasol returned to Catalonia and founded Basquet Girona. He is also the club's president.
"You go back to your lifelong club. You'll rebuild from scratch. It will be a team, and a school," he said.
"Not long ago, you were the one celebrating. Now it's you taking care of things so others can celebrate."
"Basketball has been your life. The most important thing it's taught you is that life is more than just basketball, and that home is simply a place where you can be yourself," he added.
"What's next? Now it's time to give back everything it taught you."
- Final d’un capítol. Gràcies
— Marc Gasol (@MarcGasol) January 31, 2024
- End of a chapter. Thank you
- Final de un capítulo. Gracias pic.twitter.com/p6qeigl4BE
