San Antonio Spurs forward Pau Gasol wants to play for Spain's national team in the upcoming FIBA World Cup. Gasol recently released his autobiography, titled ‘Bajo El Aro' (Below the Hoop). In it, he mentioned his desire to play for his country next summer.

From Jeff Garcia of News4SA.com:

“I want to have the best possible regular-season and once I finish I will see how physically I am. I am about to turn 39. I love playing with the national team and I would like to continue, and qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo and help the team with my presence, if I am physically well my belief and my wish is to be in the World Cup,” said Pau Gasol to ElDia.es.

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Gasol is entering his nineteenth NBA season this year. After becoming one of five non-American players to win Rookie of the Year in 2002, he went on to become a six-time NBA All-Star and two-time NBA Finals champion. He also led Spain to a gold medal in the 2006 FIBA World cup and silver medals in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. He will go down as one of the most accomplished international players of all-time when his career comes to a close.

Gasol's career may be over by the time the next 2020 Olympics come around. The FIBA World Cup may be his last chance for the 39-year-old veteran to wear his country's colors and try to bring some hardware home. If he is confident with his health, he'll give the international stage one last hurrah.