The NBA announced tonight that Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol has been named as a reserve to the Western Conference team for the 2017 NBA All-Star Game. Gasol is the first player in franchise history to be selected to the All-Star Game three different times after representing the Grizzlies as a reserve in 2012 and as a starter in 2015.
Gasol (7-1, 255) has appeared in 45 games (all starts) this season and has averaged 20.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.04 steals and 1.42 blocks in 32.5 minutes while shooting 46.4 percent from the field, 39.5 percent from three-point range and 82.5 percent from the free throw line in leading the Grizzlies to a 27-20 record (7th in the Western Conference).
Now in his ninth NBA season, all with Memphis, the 32-year-old is setting career highs in points (20.6), assists (4.2) and steals (1.04) per game. The 2012-13 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and 2014-15 All-NBA First Team center is shooting a career-high 39.5 percent from three-point range and has made 64 three-point field goals on 162 attempts this season after making just 12-of-66 from three-point range (.182) in his first eight seasons combined. He is one of just two players (Kevin Durant) averaging at least four assists and one block per game while shooting at least 38 percent from three-point range.
Most recently, Gasol posted a career-high 42 points in a 101-99 win on Jan. 25 vs. Toronto, scoring the Grizzlies’ first 16 points of the game and the two decisive free throws with 36.3 seconds remaining. It marked the highest single-game scoring total by a Grizzlies player since his older brother Pau Gasol recorded 43 points on Jan. 11, 2008 at Golden State. In addition, it was the first 40-point performance by a Grizzlies player since Rudy Gay had 41 on Dec. 13, 2009 and the first in a home game since Pau Gasol totaled 44 on March 28, 2006 vs. Seattle.
Gasol was named the NBA Western Conference Player of the Week for games played from Dec. 5-11 after recording 27.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.25 steals and 1.50 blocks in guiding Memphis to a 4-0 record for the week. It marked the second weekly accolade of his career and the ninth in franchise history. Gasol’ week included his second career triple-double (28 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) on Dec. 5 at New Orleans.
Memphis has played 19 games this season where the margin is within three points in the final minute of the fourth quarter or overtime, and Gasol’s play down the stretch has helped the Grizzlies post the NBA’s most victories (15) and highest winning percentage (.789) in these “super-clutch” situations. Gasol has made four baskets to tie the game or take the lead in the final 24 seconds of a fourth quarter or overtime this season (tied with Russell Westbrook for the NBA lead), including a game-winning shot off an inbounds lob at the buzzer in a 108-107 victory on Nov. 8 vs. Denver and a go-ahead corner three-pointer in a 111-107 win on Nov. 16 at LA Clippers.
The Barcelona, Spain native is the all-time franchise leader for blocked shots (937) and defensive rebounds (3,544). He also ranks second in team history for points (9,072), field goals made (3,411), free throws made (2,174), total rebounds (2,827) and games played (614) and third in offensive rebounds (1,160) and assists (1,935).
Gasol is scheduled to make his fifth appearance at NBA All-Star Weekend, including his selections to the Rising Stars Challenge as a rookie in 2009 and as a sophomore in 2010.
The 66th NBA All-Star Game, set for Sunday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. CT at Smoothie King Center, will be televised by TNT and will also be available on the Watch TNT App and on TNT Overtime. In addition, the game will be broadcast on ESPN Radio, with audio also available on the ESPN app. The midseason classic will reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages.
The Western Conference All-Star team consists of starters Stephen Curry (Golden State), Anthony Davis (New Orleans), Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City), James Harden (Houston) and Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio) and reserves DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento), Marc Gasol (Memphis), Draymond Green (Golden State), Gordon Hayward (Utah), DeAndre Jordan (LA Clippers), Klay Thompson (Golden State) and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City).
The Eastern Conference All-Star team consists of starters Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee), Jimmy Butler (Chicago), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto), Kyrie Irving (Cleveland) and LeBron James (Cleveland) and reserves Paul George (Indiana), Kyle Lowry (Toronto), Kevin Love (Cleveland), Paul Millsap (Atlanta), Isaiah Thomas (Boston), Kemba Walker (Charlotte) and John Wall (Washington).
The 14 reserves were chosen by the 30 NBA head coaches, who were asked to vote for seven players in their respective conferences – two guards, three frontcourt players and two additional players at either position group. They were not permitted to vote for players from their own team.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will select the replacement for any player unable to participate in the All-Star Game. If the injured player is a starter, the head coach of that team will determine the replacement in the starting lineup.
The East and West All-Star coaches are determined by the best record in the conference through games played on Sunday, Feb. 5. Golden State head coach Steve Kerr and his staff have earned the honor in the West, while the East coach has yet to be determined. Cleveland’s Tyronn Lue is not eligible to coach the East All-Stars because he did so last year.
Fans who want to support the Memphis Grizzlies by purchasing Season Tickets can do so now by calling (901) 888-HOOP or going online to grizzlies.com. Single Game Tickets are available for purchase at all Ticketmaster locations, Ticketmaster.com, the FedExForum Box Office, online at grizzlies.com or by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX or (901) 888-HOOP.
For more information on the Grizzlies, ‘like’ Memphis Grizzlies on Facebook or follow on Twitter (@memgrizz).