Pau Gasol ‘Very Interested in the Product’

November 04, 2010

Late last week, during an impromptu, quick-turnaround trip to Phoenix for a signing session with exclusive spokesman Kobe Bryant, Panini America‘s Samantha Newman and Brian Bayne took advantage of the proximity and sat down with Lakers center Pau Gasol, too.

The Spanish center, a key cog on the last two ring-winning Lakers championship teams, earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2002 and is a three-time NBA All-Star. Turns out he’s also something of a Panini trading card fan.

To be sure, Gasol left quite an impression during the brief 10-minute signing session spent primarily on 2010-11 Panini Threads Basketball.

“Pau was awesome; an absolute pleasure to work with,” said Bayne, Panini America’s Memorabilia Business Manager. “He was extremely interactive and engaging. And he was very interested in the product.”

You can find many of Gasol’s newest on-card autographs in 2010-11 Panini Threads when it releases November 24.