Spaniard Marc Gasol named first time All-Star

By Paul Levine Feb 10, 2012, 2:44 GMT

Los Angeles - There will be a member of the Gasol family playing in the NBA All-Star Game later this month, but it won't be four-time selection Paul of the LA Lakers. Instead it will be his younger brother.

Memphis Grizzlies centre Marc Gasol was selected by coaches to the Western Conference All-Stars as a reserve, the league announced on Thursday.

The seven-foot Spaniard received the nod after averaging career highs of 15 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.23 blocks through 26 games for Memphis.

Gasol, a 26-year-old Barcelona-native, has been one of the early season keys to the Grizzlies (12-10), success since power forward Zach Randolph was lost to a knee injury.

Of the 14 reserves, seven chosen in each the Western and Eastern Conferences by the 30 NBA coaches, Gasol is one of five players that will be making his first All-Star Game appearance in the league's mid-season showpiece on February 26 in Orlando.

Gasol is joined on the West by fellow first-timer, LaMarcus Aldridge of the Portland Trail Blazers. The rest of the roster includes, German juggernaut Dirk Nowitzki of the reigning NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks, making his 11th consecutive All-Star appearance, while 38-year old Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns will be participating in his eighth, along with Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Frenchman Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder's Russell Westbrook.

The Eastern Conference reserves consists of Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics, a 10-time All-Star selection, Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat, Joe Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks, Deron Williams of the New Jersey Nets, along with first-timers Luol Deng of the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers Roy Hibbert and Andre Iguodala of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Already voted in by the fans as starters for the Eastern Conference were Bulls' Derrick Rose, LeBron James and Heat teammate Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks and Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic.

The Western Conference starters voted in were Kobe Bryant and LA Lakers' teammate Andrew Bynum, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, both from the LA Clippers and Thunder's Kevin Durant.