30 Little Known Things You Never Knew Before About Brook Lopez

28 May 2019, 2:17 pm EDT By Ruby Karnick

Brook Lopez, currently playing for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA), gained the nickname "Splash Mountain", which is actually a nod to the Splash Brothers, the prolific 3-point-shooting guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors. Here are some facts about the American professional basketball player:

He was born Brook Robert Lopez, on April 1, 1988, in North Hollywood, California, U.S.A. to Deborah Ledford and Heriberto Lopez.
Lopez was raised by his mother, a high school teacher after his father alienated from them. In addition to his twin brother Robin, he has two older brothers, Chris and Alex.
He grew up in Fresno, California, where he attended San Joaquin Memorial High School and was the member of school basketball team along with his twin brother, Robin Lopez. They both featured in the 2006 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game.
Lopez was introduced to basketball at an early age as his grandfather played at the University of Colorado. His older brother Alexplayed at the University of Washington and later professionally in Japan, New Zealand and Spain.
He joined Stanford University and representing the Cardinals in the 2006-07, season, he averaged 12.6 points, and 6.0 rebounds per game in over 26 total appearances. He earned a place in the All-Pac-10 Freshman Team selection.
With an average of 19.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game, he earned a place in the All-Pac-10 First Team and All-American Third team in his sophomore season.
In the 2008 NCAA Tournament, Lopez shot a buzzer beater against the Marquette Golden Eagles for an 82-81 overtime victory. On March 31, 2008, he declared for the 2008 NBA Draft, forgoing his final two years of collegiate eligibility.
He was picked 10th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets and made his debut on October 29, 2008, against Washington Wizards. He recorded a game high of 8 rebounds in 95-85 win.
He started in 75 of 82 games he played averaging 13.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.8 blocks, in 30.5 minutes of play time per game in his rookie season.
Lopez was ranked 4th in the NBA in total blocks with 154 and was named to the All-Rookie first team. With two NBA Rookie of the Month, he was voted third best for the NBA Rookie of the Year.

After dismal 0-18 start to the 2009-10, season, Nets bounced back with its first win of the season on December 4, against Charlotte Bobcats. Lopez was the main star with 31 points and 14 rebounds in the 97-91 win.
Lopez started in all the 82 games of 2009-10, season averaging 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.7 steal, 1.7 blocks, in 36.9 minutes of play time per game. He led the franchise in minutes played, points, rebounds, and blocks per game.
He started in all 82 game of 2010-11, season for second consecutive year but struggled rebounding the ball. He averaged 20.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.5 blocks with 35.2 minutes of play time.
Lopez fractured his right foot during the pre-season of 2011-12, season and underwent surgery to miss first 32 games of the regular season. Later he twisted his right ankle and also aggravating the previous injury after just five games.
On July 11, 2012, Lopez signed a four year, $61 million contract extension and started the season on high scoring 20 or more points in seven of next twelve games.
After returning from an ankle injury he posted three double-double games to revive Nets fortune. On December 30, 2012, Lopez recorded a season high 35 points with 11 rebounds in a 103-100 win over Cleveland Cavaliers.
On January 30, 2013, he was selected by NBA Commissioner David Stern to replace Bosten’s Rajon Ronda, in the Eastern Conference All-Star squad, his first.
In the 2012-13 season, he registered his season best 38 points and 13 blocks and ended the year averaging 19.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.4 steals, and 2.1 blocks, with 30.4 play time per game in 74 games.
In an overtime loss to 76ers on December 20, 2013, Lopez fractured the fifth metatarsal of his surgically repaired right foot and gutted his way through the injury, playing 44 minutes scoring 22 points and 7 rebounds. He missed the reminder of the season.
In the seventeen games he played he averaged 20.7 points, 6 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks. This was the first season he didn’t manage to record at least one double-double.

After missing couple of games at the start of 2014-15, season due to foot injury, he once again missed eight games between December 8 and 21 with a lower back strain.
Lopez scored 32 points and a season high 18 rebounds, throwing down a powerful dunk to open the scoring in the third overtime and held on to hand the Bucks 129-127 loss on March 20, 2015. On April 6, he was named the Eastern Conference Player of the week.
On renewing his contract with the Brooklyn Nets, he went on to register his 400th start for the Nets on December 8, in the game against Houston. He recorded 24 points and 8 rebounds.
In a loss to Washington Wizards, on December 26, with nine filed goals, Lopez passed Vince Carter, to stand second in franchise history with 3,127 career field goals.
Lopez excelled for Nets, on January 30, 2016, with 33 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals, and 4 blocks, but ended on the losing side in 103-105 loss against Pelicans.
On November 15, 2016, he recorded 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks in a 118-125 loss to the Lakers. He thus became the Net’s franchise leader in blocked shots passing George Johnson’s 863 blocks.
Lopez reached a milestone and was given the game ball when he scored 24 points, and eight rebounds to surpass 10,000 points with the Nets, as they ended 16 games losing streak by defeating Kings 109-100, on March 1, 2017.
On April 10, 2017, Lopez finished with 25 points, and passed Buck Williams’ 3, 981, to become the franchise’s career leading scorer.
After spending nine seasons with Brooklyn Nets, he became the franchise leader in points with 10,444 and in blocks with 972. He stands third in minutes played with 18,118, and in rebounds with 4, 004.
On June 22, 2017, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, for one season before he was signed up by Milwaukee Bucks on July 17, 2018. He registered 12.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and career high 2.2 blocks per game in 81 games.