by Alex Schwartz

I received word today from a source close to the situation that Matt Lopez '10, a 6'10 center from Washington Township (NJ), has committed to La Salle. The big man had told me about a week ago that La Salle and UNC-Greensboro were his top two and that he thought his decision would come down to that pair. The Explorers have been recruiting Lopez for quite some time, and the hard work clearly paid off for John Giannini and Co. "Well, it's a great school [in a[ great conference [with a] great coach [it is] close to home, and they have been around since day one [of my recruitment]," stated Lopez on how he picked the A-10 school. Was there any main factor in his decision? "Most Coach G's involvement in my recruitment."
Matt still has a long way to go, but going up against Aaric Murray '09 in practice everyday should help his development. I actually asked Lopez for his thoughts on that, and he replied, "Well I train mostly with overseas pros [who are] usually 6'10 to 7'2, so I'm used to it." Nonetheless, matching up with Murray should really aid Matt. Look for Lopez to come on more in his junior and senior years. I inquired of the SJ Select standout if he will be recruiting others to join him, but that is not something he is concerned with. "No, [that is] not something I'm going to worry about, especially with Aaric Murray committing [the year] before me."
He is just the seventh Garden State player in the class of 2010—the second to an A-10 school, third to a Big Five school, and fourth to a Pennsylvania school—to come off the board, following Dion Waiters (Syracuse), Anthony D'Orazio (Lehigh), Daryus Quarles (St. Joseph's), Steve Rennard (UPenn), Fuquan Edwin (Seton Hall), and Ryan McKeaney (Vermont). "[Committing] took a lot of stress off me," said Matt. Once again, class of 2010 Matt Lopez from Washington Township (NJ) has pledged to La Salle.

Note- photo is from http://www.phillyhoops.net/