IOC memvber Pau Gasol had his Los Angeles Lakers jersey retired during half-time of the Lakers against Memphis Grizzlies ©Getty Images

International Olympic Committee member Pau Gasol, a two-time National Basketball League (NBA) champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, had his number 16 jersey retired by his former club during half-time of game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Gasol spent six years at the club, joining in 2008 before leaving for the Chicago Bulls in 2014.

His first two years with the Lakers were his most successful, as he won the NBA title in both years alongside the late Kobe Bryant.

"I’m just overwhelmed to see the faces here, all of you," said Gasol.

"It’s been my honour to wear this jersey, to play for this franchise and to help this team.

"I would have never in a million years believed a day like this could come. 

"It just tells you to never say never.

"Just push yourself every day to be the best that you can be."

Pau Gasol won two NBA Championship titles with the Los Angeles Lakers ©Getty Images
Pau Gasol won two NBA Championship titles with the Los Angeles Lakers ©Getty Images

The 42-year-old started his career at Barcelona in 1998, spending three years before being drafted by third by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2001, where he won Rookie of the Year in his first season, the first non-American player to win the award.

The six-time NBA All-Star also spent time with the San Antonio Spurs and the Milwaukee Bucks, before he returned to Barcelona to end his career in 2021.

The 7ft 1in Gasol also had a successful career with Spain, including leading to the team to victory at the 2006 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup in Japan, where he was voted the Most Valuable Player.

Gasol was also part of Spain's team that won Olympic silver medals at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

He also played in Spain's team that won EuroBasket at Poland in 2009, Lithuania in 2011 and France in 2015. 

Pau Gasol won four gold medals during his international career with Spain ©Getty Images
Pau Gasol won four gold medals during his international career with Spain ©Getty Images

Gasol was voted a member of the IOC's Athletes' Commission during the election held at the re-arranged 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. 

He polled the most number of votes with 1,888.

In May last year, Gasol was elected as a member of the IOC's Ethics Commission.

Gasol's jersey now hangs beside Bryant's, who had his number 8 and number 24 jersey's both retired following his death in a helicopter crash in January 2020.

Bryant's widow Vanessa was in attendance for the ceremony to honour Gasol.

This is the 13th time the Lakers has retired a number, with greats such as Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar also having jerseys up in the rafters.