MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Fans of the Memphis Grizzlies haven't had much to smile about this season, but Saturday will give them a chance to celebrate one of the greatest to ever wear the navy and blue.
After the conclusion of the Grizzlies 76ers game, Memphis will honor Marc Gasol and retire his no. 33 jersey.
Gasol, affectionately known as Big Spain, will become just the second player in franchise history to have his number retired.
Gasol moved to Memphis with his family at 16 years old when his older brother Pau was drafted by the Grizzlies. At the time, he was a tall, chubby kid who didn't know English.
Seven years after initially moving to Memphis, Marc's rights were traded by the Lakers for none other than his brother. He returned to Memphis to make his NBA debut and quickly became the heart and soul of the Grizzlies during their most successful era.
Marc led the Grizzlies to not only their first playoff win, but first playoff series win and western conference finals appearance.
He also was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 and appeared on three all-star teams.
"You're just proud to be a part of it and your contribution made an impact and made a difference to the franchise and to the city," Gasol said.
You can't mention Gasol's meaning to Memphis without thinking of the Grizz grit and grind era, led by the core four. It's expected that all four will reunite on Saturday for the first time since they last played together in 2017.
"Having those three guys on the court...it's obviously going to be more special," Gasol said.
The Barcelona-born, Memphis-made basketball star will be celebrated on Saturday at FedExForum. It will mark the first time Gasol has been in the stadium with fans since he was traded to the Raptors in 2019.
"It's going to be a part of us for the rest of our lives and now we're going to be part of it, hanging in the rafters," Gasol said. "I don't know how to put it into words, so many emotions into one. I'm just proud of how everything has happened. The city always had our back and I'll always have the cities back."
Marc will join Pau as the only two Spaniards to have their jersey's retired in the NBA.
