Adam Lopez can look forward to a bright future on and off the basketball court.
The standout 6-foot-5 basketball player — soon to officially become a 2017 Hanna graduate later this week at his school’s commencement exercises — on Monday signed an athletic scholarship agreement to play next school year for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton. The Crusaders play in NCAA Division III.
There were family members, classmates, coaches, teachers and other Brownsville ISD personnel on hand to witness the signing at Hanna’s performance arts auditorium.
“This is a fresh start for me as a (college) freshman,” said Lopez, who ranks in the top 5 percent of his class academically (29th of 564) and plans to pursue a physical therapy degree in college. “This is becoming a freshman all over again just like in high school and starting basketball again (in a new program) as well.
“My mindset for basketball (at the next level) is to gain some weight and learn their program and find out what they have in store for me,” he added. “I just want to make sure that I find my place.”
A two-year starter, mostly as a post player, Lopez averaged 15 points and six rebounds per game as a senior for the 20-14 Golden Eagles. He earned all-district and All-Metro honors while being selected to play in the Rio Grande Valley All-Star Senior Showcase.
Lopez is grateful for the time he spent playing basketball in high school.
“It’s been a blessing,” he said. “Hanna has its reputation (as a strong basketball program) and I love playing for this school. I’ve tried to lead my team and be one of the top seniors for the underclassmen. I think I was able to do a pretty good job offensively my senior season.”
Lopez becomes the first player to sign a college scholarship for Hanna coach Fermin Lucio, who just completed his initial season of guiding the Eagles. He said Lopez has all the tools necessary, both athletically and academically, to do well in college.
“I just feel lucky to be able to coach a player like Adam,” Lucio said. “It was so easy to promote a young man like him (to colleges) — not only because of what he can do on the court, but also his production in the class room.
“I hope he’s the first of many from our program (to play at the next level),” Lucio added. “He’ll be a constant reminder (for those who come after him) of what to do to get there.”
The Hanna coach said he was especially impressed by Lopez’s ability as a tall player to score from the outside as well as from the inside.
“Adam is a versatile player,” he said. “He probably has one of the best jump shots you’ll see for a 6-5 player, which is really what made him easy to promote (to recruiters). He can do it inside and outside, and obviously with his height, he was a great defensive player and led us in rebounding. Hopefully at the next level, those talents he has will allow him to get some playing time and have some success.
“Because of Adam, the players coming up from our feeder schools to our program can know what it takes on the court and more importantly in the class room (to play in college),” Lucio added.
Lopez said he owes a debt of gratitude to all those around him.
“I thank everyone for their support — (particularly) my family, my teammates and my coaches,” he said.
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess