NBA player Marc Gasol spends off-season saving migrants

NBA star Marc Gasol says he will not stay silent after being witness to a humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean Sea.

The three-time NBA all-star boarded a migrant rescue boat last week, helping save lives at a shipwreck off the coast of Libya.

Gasol was volunteering for a Catalan NGO Open Arms Proactiva and was particularly affected by his encounter with Josepha, a Cameroonian woman who was rescued by his crew.

"She would have died after few minutes if we had not intervened," the Spanish basketball player told the Guardian.

"She had been clinging to that piece of wood with her last bit of strength and had remained that way for 48 hours. She was weak and in shock. I thought of this woman, of her strength. And I felt anger."

Next to her another woman and a child were found dead in the middle of the makeshift craft's remains.

"I am a father. And I imagine the pain of a father who is forced to face a journey like this where one risks everything, one risks one's own life, to reach a country where one can live in peace and with dignity," Gasol said.

The Memphis Grizzlies player – who is currently on holiday while the NBA is in its off-season – wanted to keep his humanitarian commitment quiet, but decided it was important to use his celebrity to shine a light on the situation.

"It's about inhuman and criminal actions. If we wouldn't come, no one would have known anything" Gasol told Spanish newspaper El País.

"I could no longer remain silent. As a NBA player I have to give an example to show the seriousness of the situation."

According to the UN Rescue Agency, 1,410 people have died or gone missing attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea so far this year.

Frustration, anger, and helplessness. It’s unbelievable how so many vulnerable people are abandoned to their deaths at sea.
Deep admiration for these I call my teammates at this time @openarms_fund pic.twitter.com/TR0KnRsrTE

— Marc Gasol (@MarcGasol) July 17, 2018

Next to her another woman and a child were found dead in the middle of the makeshift craft's remains.

"I am a father. And I imagine the pain of a father who is forced to face a journey like this where one risks everything, one risks one's own life, to reach a country where one can live in peace and with dignity".

Currently in holidays, Memphis Grizzlies' player wanted to keep quiet about his commitment but he finally thought to use his celebrity to spread the word.

"It's about inhuman and criminal actions. If we wouldn't come, no one would have known anything" Gasol told the Spanish newspaper El País.

"I could no longer remain silent. As a NBA player I have to give an example to show the seriousness of the situation".

According to the UN Rescue Agency 1,410 people have died or gone missing attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea so far this year.