Marc Gasol to miss 2016 Rio Olympics for Spain
By John Buhler
Though a long shot to play in the 2016 Olympic Games, Memphis Grizzlies and Spanish National Team center Marc Gasol is out for Rio with a broken foot.
While it was largely expected, the Spanish National Team will not have its star center Marc Gasol for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, as the Memphis Grizzlies big man is still recovering from his broken foot suffered during the 2015-16 NBA season.
Spain’s ABC first reported the news and Sports Illustrated confirmed Gasol’s absence from Spain in this summer’s upcoming Olympic Games. Gasol, along with older brother Pau Gasol of the San Antonio Spurs, were going to anchor a strong Spanish front court in Rio as an admirable challenger to overwhelming favorite in the United States of America.
Though this is a big blow for Spain, the European basketball behemoth should do just fine without their star center. Spain will have a tough first matchup in Group Stage against Mediterranean beast Croatia, but could very well find themselves contending for an Olympic medal.
Not playing in the Rio Games is huge news for Memphis, as it seems that their franchise centerpiece wants to be at full strength come Grizzlies training camp in October. Memphis is Gasol’s adopted hometown and will want to lead by example on the court this fall for what could be an exciting year in Grizzlies basketball.
New head coach David Fizdale looks to bring a three-and-d approach to the recently sluggish Memphis attack. The Grizzlies were able to keep star point guard Mike Conley on a record-breaking maximum contract.
Signing Chandler Parsons out on the wing helps give Memphis a strong starting five with Conley at the point, defensive stalwart Tony Allen at the two, Parsons at the three, low-post wrecking ball Zach Randolph at power forward, and Gasol at the five.
Not having Gasol available for the 2016 Summer Olympics is ultimately a huge loss for Spain, but also a huge gain for the Grizzlies during the early parts of the 2016-17 NBA season. The sooner Memphis can get back their star center the better.
For more 2016 Rio Olympics coverage, please check out our 2016 Rio Olympics category page.