Memphis Grizzlies: 7 former players who are NBA Champions

Marc Gasol, the forward/center out of Spain, grew up in Memphis while his older brother Pau got his footing in the NBA.

Marc, also known as “Big Spain,” was drafted 48th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers while playing in Spain. In a poetic, Shakespearean-style story, the rights to Marc were traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in a deal involving his brother, Pau.

The rest, as they say, is history.

With Marc anchoring the team, the Grizzlies made seven straight playoff appearances— including the team’s first-ever appearance in the Western Conference Finals (2013).

Marc Gasol is one of the all-time great players in the history of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Marc played in Memphis from 2008 through 2019, averaging 15.2 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game, and 3.4 assists per game. Gasol is a three-time All-Star, 2012 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and two-time All-NBA Player.

On the cusp of a rebuild, the Grizzlies did right by Marc and traded him to a contender. The Toronto Raptors acquired Marc, pairing him with former Grizzlies player Kyle Lowry, where they won the first championship in franchise history.