Personal Information
Birth Date: July 6, 1980
Age: 21
Height: 7'-1" (215 cm)
Weight: 227 lbs
Hometown: Sant Boi de Llobregat (Barcelona)
Nationality: Spanish
Parents: Agustí and Marisa
Other family: 2 younger brothers
Status: Single
Studies: High school completed in Barcelona
Began Medicine studies
Position: Small/Power Forward
NBA: Drafted 3rd overall to the Atlanta Hawks, pick traded to the Memphis Grizzlies


Notes from NBA Draft
Scouting Report :
Product of F.C. Barcelona juniors team, made his debut in the 1998-99 season and he's still playing there. Selected at the 2001 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks as the 3rd pick overall. Won the Korac Cup and the ACB Spanish Title in 1998-99. Member of the Spanish Junior National Team, he won the 1998 Albert Schweitzer Tournament, the 1998 European Junior Championship and the 1999 World Junior Championship. Played the 2000-01 ACB League All-Star Game. Named All-Euroleague 2nd Team member in 2000-01. Won the 2000-01 Spanish National Cup (Copa del Rey and Championship, being named as the two competitions' MVP in his sophomore year.
Notes:
He has great size, and a still "unripe" body frame... ...thin, a bit light, will strengthen up as he grows... ...very tall, he has long legs and arms, is well coordinated, and runs and jumps well... ...he's got talent, can face the basket, and play outside the three-point arc with confidence... ...excellent ball handler and passer, he has soft hands... ...can put the ball on the floor, overbalance his man with fakes, penetrate, finish or dish... ....runs the court, and can finish the break as a trailer or on the lane... ...he has a good three-point shot on kick off... ....on defense, he's mainly a shot-blocker.... ...He plays with decent intensity and aggressiveness, but still doesn't like contacts much, even if shows good attitude... ....can overplay the low post and deflect the passes, but can also guard player on the perimeter.... ...remember Toni Kukoc?... ...well, this guy has something of the Croatian star: size (he's 215 cm), body frame (thin, but he's still "green"), soft hands (passes the ball like a guard), court vision (if there's an open man, he finds him), smooth moves (can penetrate, and is coordinated in the drive), outside shooting (has three-point range, and a nice pull-up "J")... ....he's actually projected at small forward... ....with that size and timing, he can't but block some shots and catch some boards, especially on offense... ...but Gasol still has a lot to improve: he must put on weight, become a better defender and develop an inside game... ....no question, he's got the potential to do it... ....very intelligent off court.

Clutchcity.net Notes on Pau Gasol
Over 7-feet tall and with moves of a small forward, Pau Gasol has created a buzz in NBA circles. In 28 games last season with Barcelona, averaged 14 points, 5.1 rebounds and while hitting over 53% of his shots from the field (34% from long range) and helping his team to a 28-5 record. Scored 25 points to lead his Barcelona squad to the "Copa Del Rey" championship and claim the MVP award. Compared often to other versatile European players like Toni Kukoc and Dirk Nowitzki. Has a large female fan base, if you know what I mean.
Said European scout Mike Cound, "Actually, he's much more like Kevin Garnett. This kid is legit. He's every bit 7-1 or even 7-2 and he can shoot the three. But he's also real thin, a lot like Garnett was a few years ago. If you are a team with a few first-round picks, or if you're a team which can afford to wait, he's an excellent choice. If everybody knows what they should know, he is a lottery pick"
Strengths: Amazing potential. A 7-footer with the mobility of a small forward -- mismatches like that just aren't available every day. Loves to get the crowd pumped up with slams (led the league with a pair of slams per game). Moves very well for his size and is versatile enough to play multiple positions.
Weaknesses: Strength -- very lanky ... will need to bulk up if he goes down low. Not ready to be a force in the NBA yet. May not be allowed to bolt to the NBA this year either as his Barcelona squad still has him under contract one more season and the escape-clause payment is reportedly a doozie. Made just 58% of his free throws but converted most of those under pressure situations.


Other Notes
Gasol, 45 days out due to appendicitis operation
Jan 11, 2001 - It seemed that Pau Gasol’s appendicitis problem wouldn’t be that troublesome. But it turned out bad. FC Barcelona’s 20-year-old rising star was operated on Thursday evening in Barcelona, and that will keep him away from the courts for at least 45 days. Thus, Barcelona will have to begin the Euroleague playoffs without one of its best players. It's the last in a long series of injuries suffered by FC Barcelona's players in the last couple of months.

Gasol has yet to miss a game in his three-year career in the NBA.

Career Teams
Year: Team:
Basquet Llor Sant Boi
U.E. Cornellà
F.C. Barcelona
1997-98 F.C. Barcelona Junior
1998-99 F.C. Barcelona B
99-2001 F.C. BARCELONA
2002-? Memphis Grizzlies