With the Memphis Grizzlies’ preseason approaching, our friends at Grizzlies.com checked in on several key players to see what their status is heading into the new season.

Gasol’s foot is fully healed and he has been fully cleared to resume basketball activities. He is expected to play in the preseason this year and hopefully he can return to elite form after missing this year’s Rio Olympics.

“I feel really good, lots of energy,” Gasol further explained. “Obviously I miss the game a lot. I want to play. I want to compete, and the one thing on my mind is to win, and try to lead this group of guys to the championship. That’s the only thing that I care about, knowing that my body is able to do that, and I’m confident. The doctors and everyone think my body’s going to hold up tremendously – even better than before the injury. That gives me a lot of confidence to do that.”

Gasol also had some comments on new head coach David Fizdale.

“Watching some tape from the system that he’s been on, by talking to him during the summer and seeing the things that he wants me to do obviously, it’s going to present different challenges, and I’m always looking forward to that.

Coach Fizdale has no head coaching experience, but has been a highly praised assistant for many years in the league. He has stated in prior interviews that he came to Memphis in order to contend for a title and that he wanted no part in a re-build, so Gasol and the rest of the Memphis Grizzlies better be ready to compete.