Two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol joined an exclusive fraternity of players to have their jersey number retired by the Los Angeles Lakers.
The six-time All-Star was honored when the organization raised his jersey into the rafters at halftime during the Lakers game on Tuesday. No one in the franchise’s history will ever wear his No. 16 again.
As the former Los Angeles big man watched his jersey retirement unveiling ceremony, he couldn’t help but show all of his emotions — especially after he saw that his jersey would hang directly next to Kobe Bryant’s.
Bryant and Gasol won championships together in 2008-09 and 2009-10. Kobe’s wife, Vanessa, introduced Gasol to the crowd before the ceremony began:
Soak it in, @paugasol. 💜 pic.twitter.com/1sif79i3gX
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 8, 2023
Gasol’s speech, which was selfless and appreciative of every teammate he had along the way, made sure to address his adoration for the late Bryant.
He said Bryant “elevated” and “inspired” him to be a better player and a better man. Gasol added that Bryant was looking forward to this moment.
"I love you, brother." 💛💜#GraciasPau pic.twitter.com/3DbzcxdM3i
— NBA (@NBA) March 8, 2023
Gasol had a press conference about the honor and spoke more about Bryant:
“He definitely inspired me and showed me what it took to be the best player you can be: The work ethic, the dedication, the mindset going into it. He challenged me to be better with his actions, with his words … He was very intentional with his actions. I was in. I was all the way in. I would go as far as he would want me to go and I wanted to win. It was a very special time.”
He said that being around a person of that caliber who demanded excellence helped him rise to the occasion.
Gasol noted that he had to evolve as a player to become an ideal No. 2 to Bryant, but it worked splendidly.
During the ceremony, on the jumbotron, Gasol was also shown a never-before-scene message about him recorded by Bryant. You can watch Bryant’s message for his championship running mate here:
“I don’t win those championships without Pau [Gasol]. We know that, everybody knows that.”
– Kobe Bryant
pic.twitter.com/0AIhRktlXi— Kobe Highlights & Motivation (@kobehighlight) March 7, 2023
Since Bryant’s passing, Gasol has shared heartfelt messages about their friendship.
He has stayed in touch with Kobe’s wife, Vanessa, and he has gone sailing with the family. Vanessa and her children attended the ceremony on Tuesday as well.
Gasol also named his child, born in 2020, after Kobe’s late daughter Gianna.
