Marc Gasol confirmed yesterday in the FIBA Turkey World Championships website that his brother Pau Gasol, the best Europeean basketball player in the world will not be participating in the 2010 World Championships in Turkey later this summer.
“I have no doubts that Pau will not be there, regardless of the play-offs,” Marc said.
“It has been 12 or 13 consecutive years with the national team and without any stop, with the exception of the EuroBasket in Belgrade.”
Playing in the NBA during the regular season (80+ games) and playoffs (30+) is a lot for a player and during Gasol’s 10-12 years on the Spain’s Mens Basketball National team he has never rested. It is his time to take a rest if they want him available for the 2012 Basketball Olympics in London.
With the marks of top Spanish National teams and figures such as Rafael Nadal who just won the Wimbledon after a 44 year drought for Spanish Players and the Spanish Soccer team who also won the Euro2008 after not winning in the 40s. The national teams for Spain both women and men are hoping to follow in those footsteps in Pekin during the Olympic Summer Basketball Games!