Kobe Bryant predicted Lakers would retire Gasol’s jersey in 2018

Madrid, Oct 5 (EFE/EPA).- The Los Angeles Lakers plan on retiring Pau Gasol’s number 16 jersey, American outlets reported just minutes after the Spaniard announced his retirement from the game of basketball.

The Lakers have only retired 11 jerseys: Kobe Bryant (8 and 24), Wilt Chamberlain (13), Elgin Baylor (22), Gail Goodrich (25), Magic Johnson (32), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33), Shaquille O’Neal (34), James Worthy (42) and Jerry West (44).

The move was predicted by Kobe Bryant during an interview with Efe back in February 2018.

“There’s no debating. When Pau retires, he will have his number in the rafters next to mine”, Bryant had said during an Oscar-related event. “The reality is, I don’t win those championships without Pau. The city of Los Angeles doesn’t have those two championships without Pau. So, we know that, everybody knows that.”

“I really look forward to the day when he’s there giving his speech at center court in front of all the fans who have supported him along the years”, he added.

Although the information hasn’t been made official by the club, the decision was confirmed by several media outlets including Los Angeles Times, ESPN and The Athletic. EFE

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