Los Angeles Lakers to Retire Pau Gasol’s No. 16 Jersey

Pau Gasol’s name and number are headed to the rafters…

The 42-year-old Spanish former professional basketball player will join a long line of legendary players when his number is retired in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ rafters next season.

Pau Gasol

The Lakers will honor Gasol’s No. 16 on March 7 when it hosts the Memphis Grizzlies, the team has announced as part of its schedule release for 2022-23.

Gasol, a six-time NBA All-Star and a four-time All-NBA team selection, was traded from the Memphis to L.A. in 2008 and teamed with Kobe Bryant to lead the Lakers to three straight NBA Finals appearances and two championships.

Gasol played in L.A. until 2014 when he signed with the Chicago Bulls as a free agent. He earned three of his six career All-Star appearances in his time with the franchise.

He retired from basketball last fall after a final season in his native Spain.

Gasol’s jersey will hang alongside Hall of Fame centers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal and Wilt Chamberlain as well as Bryant, Magic JohnsonJerry WestElgin BaylorJames Worthy, Gail Goodrich and Jamaal Wilkes.