Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

2020 Tokyo Olympics

More than athletic prowess, Baldwin impressed by Lopez’s character


Gilas Pilipinas program director Tab Baldwin firmly believes that high school standout LeBron Lopez has a bright future ahead of him, and his inclusion to the youth-laden seniors’ team pool will only serve him well.

The 17-year-old winger is just one of the two Ateneo Blue Eaglets named part of the Gilas Men roster. They are currently all training together at the Inspire Sports Academy bubble in Calamba, Laguna.

A total of 12 new faces are part of the youngest Gilas crew ever assembled, which is gearing up for the tough June competitions — particularly the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers’ third window and the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

“He has a very bright future, and I think he has a great situation here in the Gilas bubble. He gets along really well with the other players,” said the American-Kiwi mentor in The Game on One PH, Tuesday evening.

Lopez, who stands at 6-foot-5, has been seen as one of the country’s brightest prospects due to his athletic prowess.

He has actually become a social media sensation in some way, with his highlight-worthy dunks going viral online. And Baldwin himself has witnessed why many have been in awe with the Fil-Nigerian hooper.

“I think people are pretty accurate in their assessment that he is an outstanding athlete,” he said about Lopez, who was actually headed to the US last year to train until he decided to stay put to finish his studies.

“He certainly fits the criteria of length, a really active guy and a lot of energy,” the former Olympian bench tactician furthered.

Still, Baldwin said that Lopez still has so much to learn about the game. But he knows, too, that there won’t be an issue with that due to the young gun’s willingness, and most importantly, his humility.

#ReadMore  TNT shrugs off Ginebra rally to end elims on top

“LeBron has a lot to learn about the concepts of the game, understanding the nuances of execution. Great kid, really willing to learn, always attentive, and always competitive when it’s time to play,” he said

“There’s humility in the kid as well, understanding that he is the youngest. He doesn’t try to big-shot anybody because he has a big name and a big following. He doesn’t act like that at all.”

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.




You May Also Like

Basketball

Eager to make up for lost time, Rhenz Abando is more than willing to do whatever it takes for another shot at glory with...

Basketball

It may only be a matter of time before Dwight Ramos returns home for good — and takes his talents to Asia’s first-ever pay-for-play...

Basketball

Is Zavier Lucero eligible for Gilas? Fans online quickly asked as much after news of the Fil-Am wing’s inclusion in the Gilas Pilipinas pool...

Basketball

RJ Abarrientos and Troy Rosario were among the notable players present as Gilas Pilipinas commenced its preparations for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025. Head...

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas Men head coach Tim Cone isn’t expecting much from the national team’s first practice on Monday ahead of the FIBA Asia Cup...

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas Men will play a tune-up match against the Macau Black Bears on July 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum as part of...

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas finally has a start date for its FIBA Asia Cup 2025 buildup. Coach Tim Cone said that the Nationals will hit the...

ADMU

At just 26 years old, Sandro Soriano has already walked the path most coaches spend decades trying to pave. From being a student manager...

Advertisement