Lorenzo Mata

Lorenzo Mata-Real
College UCLA
Sport Basketball
Position Center
Jersey # 14
Class Graduated
Height 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Weight 235 lb (107 kg)
Nationality USA
Born March 2, 1986 (1986-27-02) (age 25)
Huntington Park, CA
High school South Gate High School

Lorenzo Mata-Real is an Mexican American basketball player.[1] He was the center for the UCLA Bruins men's basketball team from 2004-2005 until 2007-2008, and was an important part of their Final Four runs in 2006, 07 and 08.

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High school

Mata averaged 25.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in his senior season.[2] He led the South Gate Rams to an 18-8 overall record, an unbeaten Eastern League mark and one playoff victory. In the L.A. City Sectional quarterfinal game, future UCLA teammate Josh Shipp's Fairfax High School team defeated South Gate 89-85. In his junior year he led South Gate to their first playoff victory in 11 years.

UCLA career

Lorenzo was recruited by Ben Howland along with Jordan Farmar, Josh Shipp, and Arron Afflalo to attend UCLA. These four led UCLA to the Final Four in back to back seasons (2005–2006, 2006–2007). As of the 2006-2007 season Mata had a career average of 4.6 points and 4.4 rebounds a game. His stats improved each year at UCLA, scoring 6.7 points and pulling down 5.5 rebounds while shooting 67% from the floor during his junior year. In his senior season he added his mother's last name (Real) to his jersey.

Professional career

After going undrafted in the 2008 NBA draft, Mata tried out for a team in the Japanese pro league. He then signed onto the Los Angeles Lakers summer league team in order to make a name for himself among NBA scouts. Mata has been playing in the Mexican professional league (LNBP) for the Halcones de Xalapa[3] and is currently playing for the Mexican National Team.[4]

References