There is little doubt Francis 'LeBron' Lopez is a great athlete, and Nick Young sure has noticed.
Even at the just 19 years old, Francis ‘LeBron’ Lopez is easily one of the most athletic basketball players in the Philippines today. And the potential is tantalizing.
No less than former NBA champ Nick Young has noticed.
“I treat him as a rookie because he’s so young, but from Day 1, I [have] seen the potential in his game,” Young said about Lopez, whom he identified, along with Jerom Lastimosa, as among the most talented young players of Strong Group in an interview for One Sports' The Game. Their crew is set to compete and defend the Philippines' title at the Dubai International Basketball Championship.
It also appears the NBA veteran has taken the young Lopez — and the rest of Strong Group’s young core — under his wing.
“I’m here to help [the young guys],” added Young, whose first order of business is for his young teammates, particularly Lopez, to develop their jump shooting.
“The game has changed,” Young pointed out. “You got to have a jumpshot. You see how hard it’s been for some players who can’t shoot. [Defenses] pack the paint . . . I tell him, he’s already got the potential and the athleticism, so they’re gonna play you for the drive. You got to surprise people and shoot over them, do a pull-up or midrange. Be unpredictable.”
Lopez, whose hoops career seems to be in a limbo at the moment. would be best served listening to Swaggy P, who was himself an amazing athlete in his younger years. Mostly a slasher as a freshman at USC, Young improved his jumper year after year, and he turned into a reliable three-point marksman in the NBA, finishing his career with a 37.6% clip from beyond.
That is the kind of progress Lopez will need as he looks to round out his game from just a super athlete to a complete player. A mentor like Young might just be what he needs.