WHO could be a better face of the 2023 FIBA World Cup than one of the sport’s icons?
Retired NBA star and FIBA veteran Pau Gasol has been named as a Global Ambassador for the world cage spectacle kicking off in 200 days in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.
Gasol, 42, promptly made an impact in his first World Cup stint in 2002 in Indianapolis, leading Spain to a fifth place. He ended up as the tournament’s sixth leading scorer, averaging more than 19 points per game.
His biggest moment with Spain came when he led his country’s run to glory at the 2006 World Cup in Japan. He averaged 21.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, while shooting a torrid 63.1 percent from the field.
Gasol was named MVP of the event despite sitting out the Final because of an injury.
“The World Cup is the toughest trophy in basketball to win,” Gasol said. “A winning team needs character and chemistry and teammates who will pick you up when you’re down.
This is a great honor for me to be a part of such a great team of basketball legends
“To join Luis Scola, a true legend and one of my toughest rivals, in this role as Global Ambassador for the 2023 World Cup.”
In his last World Cup appearance on home soil in 2014, Gasol led Spain to six straight wins before the hosts were upset by France in the quarterfinals in the tilt where he made the All-Star selection anew.
In all, Gasol played in three World Cups, five Olympics and seven FIBA EuroBaskets.
He helped Spain win silver medals in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and the bronze at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
In the history of the EuroBasket, Gasol is one of the most decorated players. At the EuroBaskets in 2009 and 2015, he was the MVP as Spain bagged titles. In 2011, he was in the All-Star Five as the Spanish national team reached the top of the podium.
Gasol was in the All-Star Five when Spain finished runners-up at EuroBaskets 2003 and 2007 and when Spain came in third in 2001 and 2017.
Even as a member of Spain’s youth teams, Gasol competed and had success. He helped his country beat the USA in the Final of the 1999 World Championship for Junior Men.
Looking ahead to the World Cup, Gasol, who has joined Argentina superstar Luis Scola as a World Cup Global Ambassador, knows a lot has to go right for the eventual winners.
