MADRID (AP) — Pau Gasol says his preference is to play in Spain if the NBA season is canceled, although the Los Angeles Lakers center isn’t ruling out China either.

Gasol says “if there is a lockout, Spain would be the first choice — I wouldn’t say only one, but the first” on Friday.

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China, he adds, has “great potential” as an alternative to Spain.

Gasol says sitting out a season would be too “weird” especially as the NBA is coming off a “great year” with the Dallas Mavericks beating the favored Miami Heat in the finals.

Gasol is playing in the European Championship in September, when Spain can clinch its place for the 2012 Olympics.

As for brother Mark’s future, Gasol would like to “see him with a franchise that has better options” than the Memphis Grizzlies.

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