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Pau Gasol’s name will forever be etched in Lakers history when his No. 16 jersey goes into the rafters on Tuesday night.
Gasol’s No. 16 is the 13th jersey to be retired by the Lakers, joining his former teammate Kobe Bryant, who had both his No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys retired in 2017.
“My number goes up there, in big reason, because of him,” Gasol told ESPN.
Gasol won two NBA championships alongside Bryant, forming a lethal combination as the Lakers went to three straight Finals between 2008-2010.
Fittingly, his jersey retirement ceremony comes on the same night that the Lakers face the Grizzlies, the team that launched Gasol’s career after he was selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft.
As Gasol joins Lakers’ folklore, check out the best sights and sounds from his big night at Crypto.com Arena.
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Sights and Sounds from Pau Gasol’s jersey retirement
Pau Gasol thanks Lakers fans ahead of his big night.
Tonight’s the night. #GraciasPau 💜 pic.twitter.com/F0EypGtnNB
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 7, 2023
Ahead of the game, Gasol addressed the media, discussing just how much this moment means to him.
“It really exceeds any dream or expectation that I’ve had because it means so much,” he said.
“Obviously with Kobe up there, it adds something meaningful and powerful.”
Pau Gasol speaks on his basketball journey.
Watch his jersey retirement live on the NBA App at halftime of Lakers-Grizzlies. #GraciasPau
📺: https://t.co/ClBE03R6X5 pic.twitter.com/i95iihSvvb
— NBA (@NBA) March 8, 2023
The Lakers made sure every fan had their own Pau Gasol jersey for the night.
Every Laker fan at tonight’s game got a Pau Gasol jersey 🙌 pic.twitter.com/eMoJEpE7C0
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 8, 2023
Gasol makes his way into the arena ahead of the celebration.
No. 16 has arrived. pic.twitter.com/fHeEUuCElv
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 8, 2023
Jimmy Butler made sure to pull up to Crypto.com Arena to honour his former Chicago Bulls teammate.
“I’m here because of Pau, obviously! Congrats to my brother Pau. I love you man. Much deserved, Hall-of-Fame coming soon,” Butler said.
Jimmy Butler showing love to Pau Gasol at his jersey retirement night ❤️#GraciasPau pic.twitter.com/qTl7gXoGLb
— NBA (@NBA) March 8, 2023
The magical moment! Gasol’s jersey is unveiled right next to Kobe Bryant’s
#GraciasPau pic.twitter.com/GzMQHfzHz9
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 8, 2023
A host of Gasol’s firmer teammates were in attendance, including Derek Fisher, Sasha Vujačić, LaMar Odom, and Metta World Peace.
A Purple & Gold reunion 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/y1gSJZn4sE
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 8, 2023
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