This archive report was first published on 16 September 2019.
On September 15, 2019, Spain's Marc Gasol achieved a rare feat in the world of basketball, winning the FIBA World Cup in China just three months after helping the Toronto Raptors secure the NBA title.
Gasol, a 34-year-old centre, led Spain to a 95-75 victory over Argentina in the final, becoming only the second man to achieve this impressive double in the same year.
Spain's triumph was their second FIBA World Cup win, with the first coming in 2006 with the Gasol brothers, Marc and Pau, on the team. However, Pau was unable to participate in China due to injury.
Gasol's impressive performance in the final included 14 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, cementing his place in basketball history alongside Lamar Odom, who achieved the same feat in 2010 with the United States and LA Lakers.
Argentina, who had not won the World Cup since hosting the inaugural tournament in 1950, put up a good fight but ultimately fell short against the dominant Spanish team.
