Pau Gasol tells the perfect story of Kobe Bryant at the 2008 Olympics

Besides Kobe Bryantbasketball hall of fame Pau Gasol helped leads the Los Angeles Lakers to back-to-back NBA titles in 2009 and 2010, defeating Kevin Garnett and the Big 3 of the Boston Celtics in a legendary, era-defining rivalry.

Together, Bryant and Gasol became more than elite teammates and championship teammates — they became brothers. Their bond extended far beyond the hardwood, built on mutual respect, trust and a shared commitment to excellence.

In an exclusive interview with ClutchPoints’ Rob Lepelstat, Gasol reflects on his successful trade with the Lakers more than 17 years ago, his deep brotherhood with the late Kobe Bryant, what makes playing in Los Angeles different than anywhere else in the NBA, his Pau Gasol Academy and more.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

RL: On February 1, 2008, you were traded to the Lakers, formed a legendary duo and brotherhood with Kobe, won two titles together, and the rest is history. What do you remember about that day?

PG: It was a whirlwind. One moment, I was in Memphis, and the next, I was on my way to Los Angeles to join one of the most historic franchises in sports. It all happened so quickly, but I remember the excitement, the challenge ahead and how welcoming the team was.

Looking back, it was a defining moment in my career and I will always be grateful for the journey that followed and being a part of the Grizzlies and Lakers families.

RL: Why were you and Kobe like peanut butter and jelly? Why was it such a perfect duo?

PG: We complemented each other perfectly – our skills, our personalities and our shared drive to win just fit perfectly. From the moment I arrived in Los Angeles in 2008, he set the tone. One of the first things he said to me was, “We’re going to win the championship.” His leadership defined our partnership.

Kobe was relentless, demanding and had a work ethic second to none. Everyone challenged me one day to be better and stronger. I accepted it too. I wanted to be the best I could help the team achieve the ultimate goal: winning the ring.

We balanced each other out. He was the ultimate competitor, and I complemented him the rest of our teammates. We tried to elevate everyone around us, make the right plays and follow the principles of our coach Phil Jackson.

Beyond basketball, we built a very special bond. We trusted each other, pushed each other and they ended up winning two championships together. That connection, that chemistry — that’s something truly special, and I will treasure it forever.

What’s a Kobe story you’ll always remember?

One of the stories from Kobe that I will always remember is from the 2008 Olympics, when my country, Spain faced the USA in the gold medal game. We fought hard, but the USA won, and Kobe played a huge part in that victory.

A few weeks later, when I was back in Los Angeles for Lakers training camp, I walked into the locker room and there it was – Kobe had put his Olympic gold medal right in my locker. No words, no explanation. Just a medal, staring at me. I knew exactly what he was doing. He didn’t just remind me that he won – he challenged me, pushed me to be better, to work harder, to come back stronger. That was Kobe.

He never settled down, and he never allowed those around him to settle down either. That moment lit a fire in me. I took that as motivation and the next season we won the NBA championship together. That’s what Kobe was—a competitor, a motivator, and a great teammate who always found ways to lift up those around him.

What makes playing for the Lakers different than any other franchise in sports?

The Lakers were built on excellence, history and a commitment to winning. From the moment you are Step into the organization, feel the weight of its identity, the great players that came before you, the expectations of the fans and the responsibility to maintain that standard. It’s family, and once you’re a Laker, always a Laker.

This franchise represents excellence, history and a commitment to winning. Those values were instilled in me during my time in LA and I still carry them with me every day.

I will always feel at home whenever I go back to watch a game at the arena. To have my own jersey hanging in the rafters, next to the legends I admired, is something I’m still processing. That is the greatest honor.

What is the Pau Gasol Santander Academy and why did you decide to start it?

Basketball has given me so much in my life and I have always felt a responsibility to give back. I created Pau Gasol Academy from Santander to give young players a space where they can learn and grow, both on and off the pitch.

We have been teaching values and promoting healthy habits for more than two decades basketball. Last year we hosted over 460 participants from 25 different nationalities shows that sport is a very powerful tool that can bring people from all over the world together.

That’s a a project I’m incredibly proud of. To see the impact we have had on the lives of many young athletes really special to me.

What is your vision for the future of the academy?

Our goal is to continue to inspire the next generation to be the best version of themselves. I hope to expand our reach even further, ensuring that more young athletes have access to quality training, education and experiences that will help them shape their future. A key part of this vision is our commitment to women’s sport. We must continue to promote an inclusive environment where both boys and girls have equal opportunities to develop and reach their full potential.

We want to encourage more girls to join the Academy, empowering them to achieve their dreams in sport and beyond.

We also have a Rising Stars program designed to identify and support young athletes potential for professional playing. Participants are selected based on their academic and athletic ability achievements, and the program places a strong emphasis on developing skills, equipping them with the tools and guidance needed to build healthy habits and navigate your career effectively.

Our goal is to continuously raise the standard of this program, expand its international reach and provide players with valuable experience that helps them understand the steps required to pursue a professional career.