It always seems like when it comes to birthdays, old pictures make a comeback. That was the case for Marc Gasol a few months ago. Big Spain celebrated his 35th birthday on January 29, 2020, and his old college pictures were being shared on social media. In a total blast from the past, Gasol is barely recognizable, and it got us in the mood to dig out some more Toronto Raptors throwback photos. With a full head of hair and a youthful glow, Gasol's old-school snaps show just how far he's come, from playing with the Spanish basketball team to working his way through the NBA and into the Raptors. In honour of his birthday and his glow-up over the years, we couldn't help but wonder how the ageing process has gone for other core members of the franchise. Six-time All-Star Kyle Lowry's Villanova college ball days, a pre-Spicy Pascal Siakam, and Baby Stormin' Norman Powell; the guys have changed a lot over the years. Hey, we've even thrown in some bonus Nick Nurse throwbacks. So, here's a list of classic old-school pictures of current Raptors stars and it truly proves how much they've all grown. Be warned: you may never see your favourite player the same way again. Marc Gasol At Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis (high school) Marc Gasol (#Grizzlies) was nicknamed "the Big Burrito". pic.twitter.com/Ni2IxOsQzw— History of Sports (@BeforeFamePics) May 12, 2015 Happy birthday Presi // Per molts anys 🎂🎂🎂🎂 @MarcGasol pic.twitter.com/fVvgljRoWr— Carles Alonso (@carlesalonso) January 30, 2020 It was 2001 when Gasol packed his bags from Barcelona and moved all the way to Memphis, Tennessee. There, he starred for Lausanne Collegiate, winning a state title. After crafting his game back in Spain, he was acquired by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2008 and spent a decade there before moving to Toronto last season. Here he is in two very different phases of facial hair, back when he was apparently known as "the Big Burrito." Amazing. Pascal Siakam View this post on Instagram Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God. #Blessed #RipDad #DoingItForYou A post shared by Pascal Siakam🙏🏾👪🏀 (@pskills43) on Apr 23, 2015 at 8:41pm PDT Siakam's come-up story is remarkable. Although he didn't want to pursue a career in 'ball, he changed his mind after taking part in a Basketball Without Borders camp for kids in South Africa, according to The Globe and Mail. This is where he met current teammate Serge Ibaka. Put a photo of the two of them together on the Raptors Hall of Fame! From landing a scholarship to play at high school in Lewisville, Texas to New Mexico State University and now the Toronto Raptors, Siakam was able to prove he had what it takes to become an NBA star. And now an All-Star. Fred VanVleet View this post on Instagram Lets gooooooooooo!!!!! Final Four bound! ATL here we come...#shockernation A post shared by Fred VanVleet (@fredvanvleet) on Mar 31, 2013 at 3:28pm PDT View this post on Instagram Happy bday to my big brother @jddanforth everybody show him some love..love you boy A post shared by Fred VanVleet (@fredvanvleet) on Apr 7, 2013 at 7:51am PDT We already know Fred Jr. is as cute as anything, and here are some photos of his dad looking fresh back in the day. According to Bleacher Report, from a young age, FVV Sr. would start bright and early to practice and play a little one-on-one at his local YMCA. He went on to play four seasons with Wichita State, for whom he still holds the career records for games played (joint), assists, and steals. Somehow not selected in the 2016 NBA Draft, he ultimately moved to Toronto later that year. These days, that decision not to draft the NBA champion seems incredible. Kyle Lowry View this post on Instagram #tbt 2006 rookie photoshoot!! Yeah I dunked it, no matter how low the court was, I DUNKED it!! Haha A post shared by Kyle Lowry (@kyle_lowry7) on May 29, 2014 at 2:35pm PDT Villanova announces it will retire Kyle Lowry’s jersey on February 26th pic.twitter.com/Y7UcnorObL— Bleacher Report CBB (@br_CBB) January 14, 2020 View this post on Instagram #tbt.... The day I committed to Villanova was such a great day. Do I look any different ? Lol nope!!! #thatsthefacemommakeswhen #sheknowshedoesnthavetopayforcollegelmao!!! A post shared by Kyle Lowry (@kyle_lowry7) on Sep 4, 2014 at 10:02am PDT KLow's been a leading Raptor for so long, it can be easy to forget there's a time when he wasn't a relative vet on the team. The six-time All-Star excelled while playing for Villanova in his home state of Pennsylvania. So much, in fact, that the school is retiring his number in February. Blessed with a boyish face anyway, young Kyle looks uncannily similar to present-day Kyle. Unlike his former Memphis Grizzlies pal Gasol's dramatic change. Serge Ibaka View this post on Instagram With my mom jersey lol!! #throwback A post shared by Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka) on May 10, 2012 at 11:18am PDT #TBT young fuzzy #blessed🙏 pic.twitter.com/yb4Wze5ZxZ— Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka) August 31, 2017 When it comes to Ibaka, basketball appears to have played a major part in his life from a young age. At least, if this most adorable of toddler photos is anything to go by. Serge grew up the youngest of 18 children, begging for food in the Congo. Who knew this cheeky little baller would grow into an NBA champion, a famous nickname, a chef, and a style icon? Norman Powell View this post on Instagram #uclabasketball #4 #swag #favoritepic A post shared by Norman Powell (@normanpowell4) on Jan 1, 2013 at 1:09pm PST View this post on Instagram #throwbackthursday dang I used to be white lol A post shared by Norman Powell (@normanpowell4) on Apr 19, 2012 at 5:12pm PDT Before Norman was Stormin', it seems he was a hella cute baby. He was later reportedly introduced to basketball by his uncle and helped rebuild Lincoln High School's team before signing on for UCLA. The Cali native, who has spent his entire NBA career to date in Toronto, is increasingly emerging as an important cog in the Raptors machine, no matter what Nick Nurse might say. Seemingly as humble as many of his teammates, Norm said this week he would give up his No. 24 jersey if the NBA wants to retire the number in honour of the late Kobe Bryant. Nick Nurse View this post on Instagram #tbt 🏀 A post shared by nick nurse (@thenicknurse) on Dec 12, 2019 at 5:42pm PST View this post on Instagram Back in the day #tbt 🏀 A post shared by nick nurse (@thenicknurse) on Nov 21, 2019 at 3:16pm PST Talking of Nick Nurse, have some good old Saint Nick throwbacks on us. The coach isn't afraid to share some old-school pics on his Instagram and, if we may say so ourselves, they're fantastic. Nurse only ever played college ball himself, featuring for the University of Northern Iowa for four years between 1985 and 1989 before turning to coaching. As the first head coach to bring an NBA title to Canada and a possible soon-to-be All-Star bench boss, he's come a long way from these slightly dorky snaps.
