Lakers Legend Pau Gasol Explains Unique Pride of Wearing National Team Jersey
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Former Los Angeles Lakers center and Hall of Famer Pau Gasol says competing for a national team carries a level of emotion that is hard to match in any other setting.
During a recent appearance on ESPN’s NBA Today, the two-time NBA champion reflected on what it feels like to suit up for Spain and responded to comments made by Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who called Greece’s 2022 EuroBasket bronze medal the greatest achievement of his career.
“I love his emotion, I love how much he loves his country,” Gasol said. “The pride in it. The dedication, commitment he has to his national team. It’s something special to play for your country.”
Gasol, 43, won back-to-back NBA titles with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010 but has long emphasized the significance of international competition. He guided Spain to three EuroBasket gold medals, the 2006 FIBA World Cup championship and two Olympic silver medals.
“A lot of people said there was a different Pau playing for Spain than for the NBA,” he added. “There was definitely an extra edge when I put on that jersey.”
The conversation followed the latest round of FIBA EuroBasket 2025 qualifying games, where Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Dončić was widely regarded as the tournament’s standout performer despite Slovenia falling short of the podium. Dončić later admitted he was “angry” about missing out on a medal.
Gasol, who closely watched the qualifiers, said he is also eager to see how Dončić leads the Lakers in the upcoming NBA season as the franchise pursues another championship.
Source: Lakers Nation
