EUROBASKET 2015
It was never in any doubt, but the EuroBasket 2015 MVP Award presented by Tissot was officially handed over to Pau Gasol after he lifted Spain to the gold medal against Lithuania on Sunday.
The 35-year-old Chicago Bulls star had produced one of the great tournament performances in Berlin and then Lille, averaging 25.6 points-per-game and 8.8 rebounds as he inspired a Spanish side missing several of its stars.
It was never in any doubt, but the EuroBasket 2015 MVP Award presented by Tissot was officially handed over to Pau Gasol after he lifted Spain to the gold medal against Lithuania on Sunday.
The 35-year-old Chicago Bulls star had produced one of the great tournament performances in Berlin and then Lille, averaging 25.6 points-per-game and 8.8 rebounds as he inspired a Spanish side missing several of its stars.
As well as going for 25 points and 12 rebounds in the final to win his third EuroBasket title, his campaign will be remembered for a 6-of-7 three-point shooting performance against Poland and an incredible 40-point showing in the semi-final against hosts and tournament favourites, France.
It is the second time Gasol has been named as the competition's outstanding player, after Poland in 2009, and the third time he has topped the scoring charts.
But he admitted this triumph will hold a unique place among his many accolades.
"I think it has special meaning and significance for sure," the freshly crowned champion expressed to media soon after receiving the MVP award.
"To be able to play at this level at this point in my career, after all I've accomplished and this team has accomplished, it's something I'll always be proud of.
"I love to play. I love this game, I have a big passion for this game and playing for Spain is something really special, something that I really enjoy and I think it's very noticeable.
"It is something that I really enjoy and I think that it allows me to make other people happy in the process and gives me the opportunities to do something beyond basketball and beyond sport, which is something I enjoy and appreciate.
Gasol was joined on the EuroBasket 2015 All-Star Five Presented by Tissot by team-mate Sergio Rodriguez.
The Real Madrid guard already had Olympic and FIBA Basketball World Cup medals to his name but EuroBasket gold had eluded him until now.
His club team-mate Jonas Maciulis stood alongside him in the competition's top five having provided some talismanic efforts to guide Lithuania to a second consecutive EuroBasket silver medal.
He averaged 13.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and led the tournament in steals with 1.9 per-game, after scoring 34 points in the Round of 16 victory against Georgia and hitting the Group D game-winner against Estonia.
Lithuania center Jonas Valanciunas also earned his first All-Star Five Presented by Tissot selection after contributing 16 points and 8.4 rebounds per-game, despite suffering with illness earlier in the competition.
France's Nando De Colo completed the fantastic five after playing a starring role in the hosts' run to the bronze medal.
The 28-year-old averaged 13.1 Points and 5.2 rebounds per-game as he revelled in the increased responsibly on his shoulders.
It is the second time Gasol has been named as the competition's outstanding player, after Poland in 2009, and the third time he has topped the scoring charts.
But he admitted this triumph will hold a unique place among his many accolades.
"I think it has special meaning and significance for sure," the freshly crowned champion expressed to media soon after receiving the MVP award.
"To be able to play at this level at this point in my career, after all I've accomplished and this team has accomplished, it's something I'll always be proud of.
"I love to play. I love this game, I have a big passion for this game and playing for Spain is something really special, something that I really enjoy and I think it's very noticeable.
"It is something that I really enjoy and I think that it allows me to make other people happy in the process and gives me the opportunities to do something beyond basketball and beyond sport, which is something I enjoy and appreciate.
Gasol was joined on the EuroBasket 2015 All-Star Five Presented by Tissot by team-mate Sergio Rodriguez.
The Real Madrid guard already had Olympic and FIBA Basketball World Cup medals to his name but EuroBasket gold had eluded him until now.
His club team-mate Jonas Maciulis stood alongside him in the competition's top five having provided some talismanic efforts to guide Lithuania to a second consecutive EuroBasket silver medal.
He averaged 13.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and led the tournament in steals with 1.9 per-game, after scoring 34 points in the Round of 16 victory against Georgia and hitting the Group D game-winner against Estonia.
Lithuania center Jonas Valanciunas also earned his first All-Star Five Presented by Tissot selection after contributing 16 points and 8.4 rebounds per-game, despite suffering with illness earlier in the competition.
France's Nando De Colo completed the fantastic five after playing a starring role in the hosts' run to the bronze medal.
The 28-year-old averaged 13.1 Points and 5.2 rebounds per-game as he revelled in the increased responsibly on his shoulders.
By: eurobasket2015.org
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