Pau Gasol Joins Overtime Elite Board of Directors to Help Empower Basketball’s Next Generation – Forbes

Since opening in October, Overtime Elite’s 103,000 square foot facility in Atlanta that trains, educates and prepares elite high school basketball players for the next level on and off the court has hosted with delight current and former NBA stars including Devin Booker, Julius Irving and Tony Parker who visit to share skills and words of wisdom for the next generation.

Two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol visited OTE Arena in April to meet the players, work with forwards and centers, and share the importance of community, giving back, and helping others. One to always support others, especially the next generation, as evidenced by his philanthropic and charitable efforts with the Gasol Foundation and his work as a UNICEF ambassador, Gasol had little hesitation when the Spanish striker of 17-year-old Izan Almansa has asked his country’s greatest player for his contact details so he can seek advice.

Two months later, Gasol and Almansa met again as Gasol presented the MVP trophy to Almansa after the Under-17 World Cup in Malaga, Spain, where the host country reached the final of the tournament – losing 79-67 against the United States – for the first time. time to win his first medal in the history of the event.

“Usually the MVP is awarded to a player from the winning team,” Gasol explains. “There are very few occasions in basketball where the MVP has been awarded to a player from a losing team. I thought I was giving the trophy to one of the American guys.

While the recently retired Spanish star presenting the MVP trophy to his future, who finished the tournament with an average of 12.1 points and 11.9 rebounds, has its own importance with European basketball, the action also represents the Gasol’s increased involvement with OTE. The six-time NBA all-star, three-time Olympic medalist and EuroBasket all-time leading scorer joins the company’s board of directors, which also includes former basketball stars Carmelo Anthony and Jay Williams.

Founded in March 2021 by Overtime co-founders Dan Porter and Zack Weiner, Overtime Elite offers elite teenage basketball players an alternative route to the pros outside of the NCAA, NBA G League or abroad. Players receive six-figure salaries plus bonuses, overtime equity, education including topics such as financial literacy and social media, and the opportunity to cash in on their name, image and likeness (NIL).

Overtime raised $80 million the following month in a Series C round backed by Jeff Bezos, Drake, Alexis Ohanian and basketball stars Devin Booker, Klay Thompson, Trae Young, Chiney Ogwumike and Gasol. OTE investors include Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz.

“Every field, every industry needs to evolve,” says Gasol. “I like to see extra time as a bit of a disruptor, but a disrupter in a good way that presents a new avenue and a new opportunity for players to fulfill their dream in a different way.

“With the tools we have today like social media, Overtime has done a great job creating this platform and promoting these players’ brands and giving them the opportunity to train and improve with some of the best players in their age category while still getting a top education.

Gasol’s involvement provides OTE and its student-athletes with an important international perspective as the company aims for continued global growth and opportunities on and off the field. In September, OTE sends its postgraduate students to Spain to play exhibitions against high level competitions.

Gasol’s personal experience as a teenage professional in Europe before being drafted third overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2001 NBA draft will also benefit OTE players as they build their careers and brands. on and off the field.

“For these kids, obviously that path is different, but you have top-level professionals — coaches, physical therapists, strength coaches — and you have an NBA-level facility, so you have all the tools to train at a level high that I don’t have ‘I don’t think any other high school kids or teenagers in the world have that kind of access and that high level of professionals,” he says. “At the same time, the education part is very important because there is no guarantee that all of these players will become professionals. Exposing them to excellent education, experience, etc. to prepare them for life is just as important as their high-level training.

“When you put them together, that’s when you have the winning combination.”