Spain's NBA star Pau Gasol suffered one of the biggest disappointments of his career when pulling out of this summer's EuroBasket through injury but rest assured, he will play for his country again.

Gasol missed two months of the NBA campaign with a foot injury and the Memphis Grizzlies, who signed him to a lucrative, felt he needed to rest the problem.

Ultimately, the decision was Gasol's and he chose to miss out on Serbia & Montenegro.

"I hope in the end it is for the best for everyone, for me and for my return to the national team in future years," he said.

"We have done what we can but in the end it is not going to be possible for me to go."

		“	It will be the first time that I have not joined the team since I was 17 years old	„
		Pau Gasol

Gasol was unstoppable at EuroBasket 2003, leading Spain to a silver medal in Sweden.

He averaged 25.8 points and 7.8 rebounds in six games.

Last season he looked to be on course for MVP honours at the Olympics before the United States upset the Spanish in the quarter-finals.

"It will be the first time that I have not joined the team since I was 17 years old," he said.

"It will be very hard to watch the games by television and not be able to play and live with my team-mates as in previous years."