Los Angeles Lakers legend spoke about the parameters used to identify the faces of the NBA.

Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in the second half against the Boston Celtics in Game One of the 2010 NBA Finals
© Lisa BlumenfeldPau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in the second half against the Boston Celtics in Game One of the 2010 NBA Finals

Los Angeles Lakers legend, two-time NBA champion, and Hall of Famer Pau Gasol has joined the growing debate about who will become the next face of the NBA as the league’s biggest stars approach retirement. Gasol, however, has a clear stance on the matter.

The conversation gained traction after Stephen A. Smith claimed on ESPN’s First Take that an international player could not be the face of the NBA, a sentiment echoed by Shannon Sharpe.

 “I don’t believe an international player can be the face of the NBA. I know they’re global iconic figures, their popularity extends globally, but the NBA is an American-born sport,” Smith stated.

Gasol strongly disagrees. Speaking on SiriusXM NBA Radio, he argued that not only can there be multiple faces of the league, but that those players don’t have to be American-born.

He also pointed to the dominance of international stars such as Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

“It’s not that there has to be just one face,” Gasol explained. “There have been different eras where two or three players carried a lot of that branding for the game.

The NBA has become so global that I don’t believe the face of the league necessarily needs to be an American.”

Pau Gasol #16 and Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers walk to the bench late in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets

Pau Gasol #16 and Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers walk to the bench late in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets

Gasol Backs International Stars’ Impact on the League

With his comments, Gasol is advocating for greater recognition of international players who continue to elevate the NBA—just as he and Manu Ginóbili did in their time.

“The identity of the league has evolved into a global game, with a significant percentage of players coming from outside the U.S.,” Gasol said.

But does this shift benefit the NBA? While expanding the league’s international appeal, some argue it could impact local engagement.

“Over the last five to seven years, you look at Giannis, Jokic, Luka, even Shai Gilgeous-Alexander—who isn’t American either. Now you have Wemby. The NBA is an international brand, even though it’s based in North America,” Gasol added.

Pau Gasol’s Hall of Fame NBA journey

One of the most skilled big men in NBA history, Gasol was selected third overall in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks and immediately traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.

He won Rookie of the Year and became the franchise’s first true star before being dealt to the Lakers in 2008.

Alongside Kobe Bryant, Gasol was instrumental in Los Angeles’ back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010, cementing his status as one of the greatest international players of all time.

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Following his Lakers tenure, Gasol played for the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, and Milwaukee Bucks, continuing to showcase his high basketball IQ and versatility.

Internationally, he led Spain to multiple gold medals in EuroBasket and two Olympic silver medals.

His impact on the game was honored with his 2023 induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the retirement of his No. 16 jersey by the Lakers.