Francis "LeBron" Lopez, 18, is the latest Filipino to take his act abroad by signing with the Overtime Elite (OTE) league in the United States, according to a report by Sports Illustrated on Tuesday evening.
Lopez posted on Instagram a photo of himself wearing an Overtime Elite jersey.
"I am humbled and grateful to Overtime Elite (OTE) for believing in me and helping me get closer to my dreams. I will work hard to live up to their faith. 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 wrote on Instagram.
Lopez, a 6-foot-5 forward, will join five-star prospects Amen and Ausar Thompson in the Class of 2022 and Matthew and Ryan Bewley in the Class of 2023, as well as projected 2022 top-20 draft pick Jean Montero from Spain and Jalen Lewis, the No. 2 basketball prospect in ESPN's Class of 2023.
Overtime Elite has raised significant capital in its push to become a real alternative for elite high school and international prospects to use as a training program. The league recently unveiled plans for a 100,000 square-foot arena and training facility in Atlanta, Georgia.
By signing with the Elite, Lopez is expected to make a multi-million peso salary as players are guaranteed at least $100,000 (around P5 million). The league also plans to award them bonuses, equity in the league, the short-form video content company, and revenues from their image and likeness. If Lopez does not get drafted into the NBA or play professionally -- OTE can provide up top $100,000 towards college tuition.
Lopez just made his Gilas Pilipinas men's debut last month at the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in Clark, Pampanga, where he became one of the youngest ever to play for the country as a member of the seniors squad. He was 18 years and 31 days old when he played in the Philippines' 76-51 win against Indonesia last June 18. It was Lopez's lone appearance and he finished with 8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in 9:41 of playing time.
Nicknamed after the four-time NBA champion forward, Lopez played the Ateneo Blue Eaglets where he averaged 16 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3 blocks in his final season for Ateneo.