NBA players and brothers Pau and Marc Gasol on Wednesday were awarded Spain's Princess of Asturias award for sport for their succesful basketball careers and extensive community services.

The award foundation hailed Chicago Bulls centre Pau, 34, and his younger brother Marc, 30, as "extraordinary sportsmen who have combined major sporting achievements with exemplary social work".

It said the two bothers were "living legends in the world's leading basketball league" who are "considered role models of sporting values".

The 50,000-euro ($54,000) award is one of eight prizes handed out yearly by a foundation named for Crown Princess Leonor. Other categories include the arts, literature and scientific research.

The awards will be handed out in a ceremony presided by Spain's King Felipe and broadcast live on Spanish television around October.

They were named the Prince of Asturias awards after Felipe, until he became king last year, passing the title to his nine-year-old daughter, Princess Leonor.

The Gasol brothers, who were both born in Spain, cooperate with UNICEF. In 2013 they set up the Gasol Foundation which promotes physical activity and healthy eating habits among schoolchildren in the United States and in Spain.

They won the world championship with Spain in 2006 and European championship in 2009 and 2011 and were Olympic runners-up in 2008 and 2012.

Pau won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010 and is a four-time All-Star.

Marc was an All-Star in 2012 and is a former Defensive Player of the Year who this season with the Grizzlies is being mentioned as a top league MVP candidate.
Source: AFP