2019 Raptors champion Marc Gasol retires from professional basketball

Marc Gasol, a standout defender during his 14 NBA seasons who won the 2019 title with the Toronto Raptors, officially announced his retirement on Wednesday.

Gasol, 39, last appeared in the NBA in the 2020-21 season but has played for Basquet Girona, the team founded in his native Spain.

He played 10-plus seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, made three all-star teams and was named to the All-NBA first team for the 2014-15 season. He was traded to the Raptors in the 2018-19 season and won his only NBA title with Toronto. He closed out his career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

A 6-foot-11 center, Gasol was honoured as the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year in 2012-13.

Representing Spain, he won silver medals in the Olympics in 2008 and 2012 alongside his brother, Hall of Fame member Pau Gasol. Both players retired from international play in 2021 following the Tokyo Olympics.

Marc Gasol is the Grizzlies' franchise leader in a number of categories, including field goals, rebounds, blocked shots and minutes played.

In 891 games (866 starts), Gasol averaged 14.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 blocks.