Email this page
Print this page
del.icio.us
digg
yahoo!
CommentsPhoenix Sun’s Robin Lopez on turning pro
Pete Madrid
Robin Lopez says from an early age he always had the mindset that someday he would play pro basketball.
That vision came true last summer when the former Stanford University center was taken by the Phoenix Suns with the 15th pick in the NBA draft.
Now, a “day at the office” for the 20-year-old will include banging bodies with other NBA 7-footers. His new job includes a hefty salary as well. He is scheduled to make $1.35 million this season and $1.45 million next season.
“It’s (playing in the NBA) always been in my plans,” says Lopez, a 7-foot rookie who opted to turn pro after just two years at Stanford. “I was content with being a role player at Stanford, and if that’s what the expectations are here, I‘m fine with it.”
This coming season, Robin might even bump into his identical twin brother, Brook, who was taken with the 10th overall pick by the New Jersey Nets. Brook also stands 7-foot.
A native of Fresno, Calif., Robin, is a film enthusiast who after his time in the NBA would like to work in film or television. One of his older brothers, 6-7 Christopher, turned down college basketball scholarships to pursue a career as a movie producer.
But for now, the budding NBA star of Cuban descent is concentrating on his new job and giving the Suns another big man to complement the talents of All-Stars Shaquille O’Neal (7-1) and Amare Stoudemire (6-10).
His advice to other young Latinos who have aspirations of a basketball career:
“Just keep working hard,” says Lopez, who averaged 8.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.33 blocked shots in his 67 career games at Stanford. “Take any opportunity to facilitate your talents.”
