Marc Gasol Saez is a Spanish professional basketball player who plays center for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association. Gasol has been an anchor on the interior both offensively and defensively for the teams he has played for, with his ability to spread the floor making him a more versatile threat than many big men in the pros. Gasol has been a part of numerous playoff teams, and has helped the Toronto Raptors secure a championship during his career.
As a teen, Marc Gasol moved from his native Spain to Tennessee, due to his brother Pau landing a spot with the Memphis Grizzlies. Marc went to Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, Tennessee, serving as the school’s big man through the 2003 season. He averaged 26 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks per game as a senior, making him a desirable player at the professional level back in Spain.
Instead of going to college, Gasol started his professional career overseas after high school. He began playing for Barcelona in the Spanish professional league, playing three seasons for Barca. He then signed on with Spanish side Girona, two seasons there and winning the Spanish league MVP award in 2008.
Gasol declared for the 2007 NBA Draft, where he was taken with the 48th overall draft pick as a second round selection by the Los Angeles Lakers. He was traded from the Lakers to the Memphis Grizzlies in a deal that sent his brother Pau to the Lakers in exchange for Marc and other pieces. As a rookie, Gasol made Grizzlies history by shooting 53% as a rookie, the best percentage from the field by a rookie in team history.
In his second season, the Grizzlies made the playoffs thanks to Gasol and Mike Conley forming a strong duo to lead the squad. They beat the San Antonio Spurs in the first round before falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a thrilling seven-game series against one of the top NBA teams at the time. The following season, the Grizzlies big man was named an NBA All-Star for the first time in the 2011-2012 season, with season stats of 14.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game helping earn him the nod.
Gasol continued to rack up accolades as an NBA player, winning defensive player of the year in 2012-2013 and tacking on two more all-star appearances as a member of the Grizzlies. But while Gasol’s game log was impressive, he wanted to compete for championships. Rather than risk him walking in free agency in the offseason, the Grizzlies traded Gasol to the Toronto Raptors in 2019, in exchange for Delon Wright and Jonas Valenciunas.
In his first season with the Raptors, Gasol got his first NBA championship. The Raptors dispatched the Philadelphia 76ers and Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Milwaukee Bucks to get to the NBA Finals. There, they defeated the Golden State Warriors in six games to earn both Gasol and the Raptors their first NBA title.
Gasol has also featured prominently in the Spanish national team, helping his country win the silver medal in two Olympics. He has also contributed to Spain winning two FIBA World Cup gold medals.
Marc Gasol signed a five year, $110 million deal with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2015. Gasol is currently in the final year of his contract, which he is serving with the Toronto Raptors. Over the course of his career, Gasol has earned $180 million from his NBA contracts, including his earnings from the 2019-2020 season.
Gasol has an estimated net worth of $50 million. His most notable endorsement comes from Nike, but he has also endorsed San Miguel beer and Caser Seguros, which is an insurance company based out of Spain.
Marc Gasol was born in Barcelona, Spain to Agusti Gasol and Marisa Saez. He has two brothers, with older brother Pau Gasol also being a professional basketball player. Marc Gasol is married to Cristina Blesa, and the two have a daughter together.
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