Gilas Pilipinas prospect Francis “LeBron” Lopez of Ateneo High School is turning professional at just 18 years old after signing a reported six-figure dollar deal with Overtime Elite (OTE), a Sports Illustrated report said on Tuesday, July 13.
“We’re delighted to have Lebron join the OTE family as we expand our international reach, bringing in top talent from across the globe,” said Brandon Williams, OTE executive vice president and head of basketball operations, in the SI report.
“Francis is a young man who has impressed us with both the combination of pure passion for the game and self-improvement, physical athleticism, work ethic, as well as many leadership intangibles. He’s the kind of player we want and expect to thrive at OTE.”
Scouts were likely impressed by the potential showcased by the 6-foot-5 high-flyer even though he played just limited minutes in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers and was subsequently the last roster cut before the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
“As OTE leadership said, I will be the first Filipino player to join them. It is an honor that I will not take for granted. I will not let our country down. I will work very hard to represent us well!” Lopez said in an Instagram post of the signing.
“I want to say a special thank you to the people who helped me at the beginning of my journey – Coach Reggie [Varilla] and Coach Tab [Baldwin] and Mr. Al Panlilio and Mr. Pangilinan and the SBP – they saw the spark of potential in a young kid and supported it. I am forever grateful,” he continued.
Lopez last showed his full arsenal in UAAP Season 82 with the Ateneo Blue Eaglets, where he averaged 16 points, 9.2 rebounds and a whopping 3.0 blocks in just a little over 25 minutes per game. – Rappler.com
