News that had become a secret at times in recent days has been officially confirmed. Marc Gasol has announced that he will continue his professional career at Bàsquet Girona, a team belonging to the second Spanish basketball division, LEB Oro.
It has been more than two months of reflection since the center was traded to Memphis from the Lakers and later cut by the Tennessee franchise. Marc, a three-time All-Star and Defender of the Year in 2013, completed last season in Los Angeles, where he did not fully gel.
The Lakers acquired Andre Drummond in the middle of the course dispute, which fueled the rumors that warned of an imminent separation. And while Drummond packed his bags for Philadelphia during the offseason, the addition of Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan left the Spaniard with no room.
Gasol’s desire to return home to Spain has been a differential factor in his decision. The first information in mid-September already indicated that it was very likely that he would end up joining Girona, a club of which he is also president and owner. However, he chose to take a period of vacation with his family during which he received a wink from FC Barcelona.
Gasol, who will turn 37 in January, will now try to join the sports project from the field. Girona have started the season with a balance of two wins and seven losses that they will try to reverse during the rest of the season.
(Photo courtesy of Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images)