When I describe Pau Gasol to non-NBA fans, I tell them that he is not a typical NBA player, but he was a perfect Spur. As a child, he wanted to be a doctor, but, tragically, ended up being 7’-0” tall and athletically gifted. He posts pictures of the books that he is reading on his Instagram, frequents the opera, and is active with the local children’s hospital. His preferred social media hashtag is, “#AlwaysLearning,” and his reputation as a consummate teammate and athlete on the basketball court has reflected the influence of his diverse interests.
The body of work that Pau Gasol has assembled in the first seventeen years of his career is Hall of Fame-worthy.