Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Former NBA All-Star Pau Gasol is returning to Spain to play for Liga ACB and EuroLeague member FC Barcelona, it was announced Tuesday.
Barcelona announced that Gasol's deal runs through June 30.
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Pau Gasol of Spain (R), a six-time All-Star selection, won two NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and has career averages of 17 points and 9.2 rebounds. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
"I'm very happy to announce that I'm coming home and that I'll soon join the ranks of Barca's basketball team," Gasol said in a statement. "I want to put my skills and experience at the disposal of the club at a key point in the season, while at the same time making progress in my physical condition and getting into the rhythm of competition."
The 40-year-old Gasol started his professional basketball career with Barcelona in 1998-99. He spent three Liga ACB seasons with the team and played with the club in the inaugural EuroLeague season in 2000-01.
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Gasol then made the jump to the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2001-02 campaign. He was named the league's Rookie of the Year in his first season with the Grizzlies.
"I'm happy to return to the club where I began, and I'm excited about this new opportunity: I hope to contribute to the first team very soon," Gasol said. "I want to thank Barca and its technical staff for making it possible to join them."
Sarunas Jasikevicius, Barcelona's current head coach, was Gasol's teammate during the 2000-01 season when the team won championships in the Copa del Rey de Baloncesto and the Liga ACB. Gasol was named MVP of both finals.
Gasol, a six-time All-Star selection, won two NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and has career averages of 17 points and 9.2 rebounds. He also played for the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and Milwaukee Bucks.
Gasol last played in the NBA during the 2018-19 season, finishing the season as a member of the Bucks.
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