Worldwide Recognition Continues for the Gasol Brothers

February 15, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Eastern Conference forward Pau Gasol of the Chicago Bulls (16) and Western Conference center Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies (33) during the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol and the Chicago Bulls’ Pau Gasol both continue to see the accomplishments roll in for themselves, although they were eliminated from the postseason.

Today, it was made known that the Gasol brothers–Marc and Pau–won a very prestigious award in their home country of Spain for their excellence in the mixture of sport, community, and representation of their homeland. This is their second time winning the high-ranking award–known as the “Princess of Asturias prize.” This is somewhat equivalent to them winning a Nobel Peace Prize (to put this into perspective).

The Associated Press had the initial report of the Marc Gasol and Pau Gasol latest achievement (below).

"MADRID (AP) — Brothers Pau and Marc Gasol have been awarded Spain’s Princess of Asturias prize for sports for their “brilliant record” playing basketball for Spain and their NBA teams.The pair was recognized for their “sporting standards” as well as being ambassadors for “the Spanish brand,” the award foundation said in a statement on Wednesday.Pau, aged 34, and Marc, 30, have won world and European championships, and two silver medals at the Olympics.In the NBA, Pau plays for the Chicago Bulls, and Marc at the Memphis Grizzlies. They made history in February when they became the first brothers to start in the NBA All-Star game.In 2013, the brothers created the Gasol Foundation to promote sport and healthy eating at schools in Los Angeles and Barcelona. They have worked with UNICEF.The 50,000-euro ($55,600) award is one of eight Asturias prizes handed out annually by a foundation named for Crown Princess Leonor. Other categories include the arts, and scientific research.The brothers have won the prize before, in 2006, when all of the Spain team that won the world title received the award.The awards are presented each autumn in the northern city of Oviedo, capital of the Asturias region."

This goes to show the prominence all around the globe, from North America to Spain, of the Gasol brothers. On and off of the court, they make a tremendous impact in many ways. The Memphis Grizzlies have been blessed with he presence of both Pau and Marc, and hopefully Marc Gasol continues to represent Spain in the city of Memphis by wearing a Grizzlies uniform for many years to come.

Mar 9, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) defends Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) during the game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

Pau Gasol played in seven seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies while his younger brother, Marc, has spent the past seven seasons with the Grizz. It would be an eerie similarity if Big Spain (Marc) would go the way of Pau and change teams following a seven-season tenure playing basketball in FedEx Forum.

Regardless of where Marc winds up playing in the NBA next season, one thing is for sure.

Marc and brother Pau have literally made a “world” of difference throughout their playing careers and they are just getting started.

Go Grizz!

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