The term "offseason" seems like a bit of a farce when you consider what forward Pau Gasol has been up to since the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs in May. From visiting hospitals in L.A., to adding another silver medal to his collection in London, to continuing his charitable work with UNICEF, Gasol has been a busy man.

Gasol checked in with ESPNLosAngeles.com from the nation of Chad, where he is visiting in his role as UNICEF Spain Ambassador. Gasol hopes his trip will help bring awareness to the nutritional crisis going on in the Sahel belt, a region that spans across Africa from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea. In Chad alone, UNICEF estimates that more than 127,000 children are at serious risk of malnutrition because of severe drought.

McMenamin: Did you ever expect that your philanthropic efforts would take you all over the world? Did you ever expect to set foot in Chad?

Gasol: No. Not really. But talking to UNICEF right after the season, we were thinking about planning a trip but also thinking and being aware of the situation right now that the whole belt of the Sahel is going through. Obviously, it’s an emergency situation with a lot of kids in grave risk. So, I told them, ‘Look, just tell me where you need me to go. Tell me what country needs help the most and I’ll be there.’

To read the rest, check it out here on ESPNLosAngeles.com.