Filipino-Angolan basketball phenom Francis “Lebron” Lopez has been named among the International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA) 10 Wunderkinds of Asia to Watch in 2022.
At just 18 years old, Lopez played for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in Clark, Pampanga, becoming one of the youngest ever to suit up for the Philippine national team.
In his debut appearance, Lopez posted eight points, five rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block after seeing just nearly 10 minutes of action in a win over Indonesia during the Clark bubble.
Lopez has since then signed with Overtime Elite (OTE), a new pro league based in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States.
“With these accomplishments and a more-than-recognizable nickname like “LeBron”, it’s easy to see why there would be much anticipation to see Lopez on the court for the Philippines again,” the FIBA year-ender list said about Lopez on December 28, 2021.
The Fil-Angolan hooper joins other rising stars in the list including African-Taiwanese player Mohammad Al Bachir Gadiaga, Hashem Abbaas (Jordan), Taran Armstrong (Australia), Lee Hyun-Jung (Korea), Norika Konno (Japan), Keisei Tominaga (Japan), Zeng Fanbo (China), Derrick Michael (Indonesia), Muzamil Ameer Hamoda (Bahrain).
The Ateneo High School star joins fellow Atenean Dwight Ramos in the FIBA best-of-lists for the year.
Lopez, who derives his moniker from the four-time NBA champion, joins a growing roster of Filipino players who are seeing action in international leagues.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles’ Ramos and Kiefer Ravena and the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons’ Kobe Paras, and brothers Juan and Javi Gomez de Liaño are currently seeing action in the Japan Basketball League.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to Filipino-Angolan basketball phenom Francis “LeBron” Lopez for being named among the International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA) 10 Wunderkinds of Asia to Watch in 2022.
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