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Grizzlies sign Pau Gasol's brother Marc

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-07-10 10:56

MEMPHIS - Spanish center Marc Gasol, younger brother of Los Angeles Lakers forward and All-Star Pau Gasol, was signed by the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday.

In this Sept. 3, 2006 file photo, Spain's Pau Gasol, right, and his brother, Marc, pose for photographers as they celebrate their gold medal victory in the World Basketball Championships final in Saitama, Japan. Marc Gasol says he is ready to move from a Spanish team to the NBA, where his older brother already plays. The 7-foot-1 Gasol has spent the past two years with Spain's Akasvayu Girona. His rights are held by the Memphis Grizzlies. [Agencies]

The 23-year-old has played the last five seasons in the Spanish ACB League and was named Most Valuable Player for Akasvayu Girona after his 2007-08 campaign.

"The Grizzlies are pleased to be adding Marc Gasol to our team," Memphis general manager Chris Wallace said in a statement.

"Marc is a very skilled center in terms of his shooting and passing, possesses outstanding toughness, and is a winning, team-oriented player. He has done a remarkable job transforming his body. Marc is one of the premier players in Europe."

Memphis acquired the draft rights for the 7-foot-1 Gasol from the Lakers along with guard Jarvis Crittenton, forward Kwame Brown, guard Aaron McKie, two first round draft picks and cash considerations.

The deal was in exchange for a 2010 second round pick and the older Gasol, who moved to the Lakers from Memphis in February.

Gasol junior, who averaged 16.2 points and 8.3 rebounds for Girona in 2007-08, will become the third Spaniard to play for the Grizzlies after his brother (2001-08) and Juan Carlos Navarro (2007-08).

The younger Gasol helped Spain win the gold medal at the 2006 world championships and silver at the 2007 European championships. He will represent his country again at the Beijing Games in August.