Name: Brook Lopez
Born: April 1, 1988
Birthplace: North Hollywood, CA
Team: Stanford University Cardinal
Jersey Number: 11
Position: Center
Height: 7'0"
Weight: 260 lbs.
Class: Sophomore
Nicknames: None
High School: San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno, CA
2007-08 Statistics - 26 Games
- Points Per Game: 19.0
- Rebounds Per Game: 8.1
- Assists Per Game: 1.4
- 3-Pointers: 0-for-6; 0.0%
- FG%/FT%: 46.9%/78.2%
- Steals/Blocks Per Game: 0.6/2.1
Stats as of 3.24.08
Strengths
Lopez has great physical tools for a big man - great size, wingspan length, excellent hands, athletic and coordinated, and can run the fastbreak and finish, as well as score in the post. He has very polished moves down low and can score with his back to the basket or facing the rim. He is a very intelligent player, which will help him adapt to the NBA.
Lopez is strong and can establish position in the post both offensively and defensively - he's no pushover. He has the ability to stick shots from mid-range. As the season went on, Lopez showed himself to be a force on offense. Defensively, he has good instincts and his shot-blocking should translate well in the NBA.
Lopez would be a very solid pick for any team and his size is a huge plus. As the saying goes, "You can't teach size."
Weaknesses
Lopez isn't an Amare Stoudemire-type in that Lopez isn't a super athlete or explodes to the rim with tenacity. However, there aren't many true low-post players anymore that operate better in the half-court offense. And that's a good and bad thing, especially when Lopez's field-goal percentage should be a lot better for a guy that operates a lot in the post. Achieving a field-goal percentage above 50% is necessary for Lopez to succeed at the NBA level.
Lopez will need to learn to pass out from the double-team and not force situations. He might need to come off the bench and learn from the sidelines at first. In time, Lopez can be a very good NBA player.
