Catalan former NBA player Pau Gasol receives Barcelona Gold Medal Award

The world’s best-known Catalan basketball player, Pau Gasol, received the Barcelona City Council’s Gold Medal for Sports Merit on Wednesday.

Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni presented the medal and emphasized that “Pau Gasol is the best ambassador of basketball in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, and Europe.”

He added that “Barcelona is the best city in the world, in part because of people such as Pau.”

Gasol played in the NBA for 18 seasons, was part of two championship-winning teams, and was a six-time NBA All-Star. He is also in the NBA Hall of Fame.

Locally, Gasol played for FC Barcelona, where he won three ACB leagues and two domestic cups during his two stints with the club.

He also won the 2006 Basketball World Championship with the Spanish national team and three Olympic Medals (in 2008, 2012, and 2016). Gasol is a three-time Eurobasket winner.

On two occasions, he was named Catalan Sportsman of the Year, in 2001 and 2006.

In 2021, the player announced his retirement from professional basketball.

Two years later, he became the first Catalan basketball player to have his NBA jersey retired.

Social work

In addition to his achievements on the court, Gasol has been committed to various social causes throughout his life.  

Currently, he is a member of the Athletes’ Commission with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and is also a UNICEF Global Champion for Nutrition and Zero Obesity among Children.

Together with his brother, Marc, also a former NBA player, Gasol founded the Gasol Foundation, which promotes healthy habits to prevent and combat childhood obesity.

The Barcelona Gold Medal is the highest distinction awarded by the Barcelona City Council. It recognizes individuals or legal entities who have stood out for their extraordinary personal merit or outstanding services to the city.