2B SPORTS δΈ€ THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2008 sports trivia Q: Who won the NBA's Rookie of the Year award for the 2001-2002 season? A. Former Memphis Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol. In his first season, he led the Grizzlies in points with 18 per game and in rebounds with nine per game. www.nba.com Excitement on the court sports fact of the day Gasol, who was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers this weekend, was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on the night of the 2001 NBA Draft. He was selected third overall by the Atlanta Hawks before they shipped him off to Memphis in exchange for veteran forward and Atlanta native Shareef Abdur-Rahim. www.basketball-reference.com sports quote Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak after trading for Pau Gasol "We got a player who can improve our team today. I don't know if that's going to translate into being on top in the west, being third in the west or even being better than where we are today, which is sixth. But we do think it improves the team." Sophomore guard Kelly Kohn gives a high-five to freshman guard Chaketha Weldon during the second half of the game Saturday against Iowa State. "I'm very confident in myself and in my teammates." Weldon said after the game. "They are energetic and my energy brings a lot to the team in games and in practice." The next women's basketball home game is Feb. 13 against Colorado. Jon Goering/KANSAN >> NBA Former Grizzly Pau Gasol joins the Lakers, may make debut Sunday ASSOCIATED PRESS TORONTO β€” The Los Angeles Lakers bolstered their bung-up- frontline Friday with a key acquisition β€” 7-footer Pau Gasol of the Memphis Grillzies. "It shows a great deal of commitment from the organization," AllStar Kobe Bryant said before the Lakers game at Toronto. "It's a great step. How else would you know I'm a KU fan? Newly acquired Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol, left, from Spain, warned up with **teammate Kobe Bryant** before a game against the Washington Wizards on Sunday in Washington. ASSOCIATED PRESS The exclusive provider of KU Jayhawk Visa Check, Credit and Gift Cards, benefiting the KU Alumni Association. "It's a matter of us just gelling now and putting it together" added Bryant, who urged management to improve the team during the summer. "We've got a great bench. We have a lot of length, of versatility. Now it's time to walk the walk." The Lakers gave up Kwame Brown, rookie lavaris Crittenton and two first-round draft picks for Gasol. The Spaniard is certain to help a Lakers team reeling from recent injuries to inside players, including blossoming center Andrew Bynum. "We need a little scoring inside without Andrew Bynum," coach Phil Jackson said. "It gives us a post-up threat right now, and he's a good passer. We like that." Jackson said Gasol could make his debut when the Lakers visit Washington on Sunday. "Wed like him to play on Sunday," Jackson said. "I don't know if that's possible or not. He's got to go back to L.A. and have a physical tomorrow." Gasol, who averages 18.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.44 blocked shots in 39 games this season, can fill in at center until Bynum returns in mid-March, then move to power forward. "He's a great player," forward Lamar Odom said. "With him and Andrew down there, I'm really excited to see how that works out. We'll protect the basket a little bit more. I'm looking forward to seeing those guys playing together." The Grizzlies will get the Lakers' first-round draft choices in 2008 and 2010; guard Aaron McKie, signed earlier Friday for salary cap purposes; cash considerations; and the rights to Gaso's brother Marc, a 2007 second-round pick of Los Angeles. "We're extremely pleased to be able to make this trade," general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement. "Pau is a proven player of All-Star caliber in this league who can score and rebound and is still a young player. We feel this strengthens our team in the short term as well as the long term." Gasol, the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2002 and an All-Star four years later, has averaged 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 476 career games with Memphis. The 27-year-old forward-center, under contract for three more years, is the franchise leader in 12 statistical categories, including points, rebounds and blocks. "That's something you havent seen before," Jackson said with a chuckle. The Lakers also receive the Grizzlies' second-round pick in 2010. "I've played with him in several All-Star games," Bryant said. "He's extremely versatile, he has a high basketball IQ. He can pass, shoot, has length, can catch and finish. He's extremely talented. "I have to take my hat off to (owner jerry) Buss and Mitch for going forward with this," Bryant said. "Now it's up to us to go out there and work hard." Odom said he feels "the sky is the limit" for the new-look Lakers. The Lakers were one of the NBA's best teams before the 20-year-old Bynum injured his left knee Jan. 13 against Memphis, coincidentally. Los Angeles had a 28-16 record entering Friday night's game at Toronto but had lost five of eight since Bynum was injured. "We felt like we could compete for a championship with the team we had," Odom said. "With this addition, hopefully that dream comes true." 6 ---