10 Things You Need To Know About New Jersey Nets Center Brook Lopez

Nets center Brook Lopez is one of the rising stars of the NBA. In a league that has become devoid of true centers, Lopez is making his mark in the paint despite playing for the league's worst team. Size, strength, and a know how to finish at the rim have helped Lopez vastly improve over his first two seasons and his ceiling seems higher than ever.

But what he does on the floor does not make up all that is Brook Lopez. The Nets center is a character is his own right and it comes out both on the court and off it. Here is a look at ten things that best describe Brook Lopez.

1. Journey Man

No, not in the NBA, but Lopez was something of a basketball version of a military brat during his youth. Lopez lived in three different locations all over the west boast before he settled in the Fresno, California area.

It was there he and his twin brother Robin became AAU All-Stars and played in the 2006 McDonald All-American Game alongside the likes of Kevin Durant and Greg Oden. He also played high school hoops with currently University of Washington star Quincy Pondexter.

2. Stanford Standout

Lopez made an instant impact upon arriving at Stanford University. He was named an All Pac-10 Honorable Mention his freshman season. He made the jump in his second season when he averaged 19.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game as a sophomore, earning Third Team All-America and First Team All Pac-10 honors.

3. Rookie Success

The New Jersey Nets made Lopez the 10th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. His brother Robin was selected 15th overall by Phoenix. Lopez, who took over for Josh Boone during his first year, averaged 13.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks. He finished third in Rookie of the Year voting and made the All-Rookie First Team.

4. Post Presence

The seven-foot Lopez has developed into one of the few legitimate centers in the NBA. He is at his best when close to the hoop. A big body, long arms and strong hands make him a tenacious rebounder and adept shot-blocker. He works well off the glass because of his reach. Lopez is a quality put-back artist. As we near the end of the 2009-2010 NBA regular season, Lopez is averaging 19.0 points per game, 8.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.

5. Outside Game

The one part of his game Lopez currently struggles with is an outside jumper. The Nets center makes his presence known under the rim, but a shortcoming outside 12 feet make Lopez an unfinished commodity. That inability to shoot from the outside can limit a Nets offense which already does a good job of limiting itself.

6. DJ Lopez

In addition to his game on the court, Lopez and former Nets teammate Ryan Anderson began their own webpisdoes during the season. The shows came out every other week and were titled “The Brook & Ryan Show.” Their escapades took them off the court through numerous adventures through New York City, or any other creative idea they thought of.

7. Comic MC

Part of Lopez’s and Anderson’s venture brought them to the New York Comic Convention, also known as “Comic-Con”, where they took part in “cosplaying” or roleplaying. Another “Brook & Ryan” adventure included trick-or-treating in New York City.

8. Simpsons Freak

No one can blame Lopez for being a Simpsons fan, but he is such a fan that he blew off 60 Minutes and his future billionaire boss to watch the Simpsons. Lopez was set to appear with the Nets new owner in his recent 60 Minutes interview, but felt he just could not miss Homer’s new adventure.

"I'm a loyal fan. I love those middle seasons and I am still going to watch it. I don't catch it too much on Sundays. It was just a coincidence. I was sitting in my living room and I looked at my clock and it was 7:15 and I decided I was going to watch the Simpsons tonight,” said Lopez.

9. Teenager On the Inside

Lopez may be 22 years old, but his personal interests make him look more like high school girl than one of the NBA’s best centers. Lopez revealed that his favorite musicians are Miley Cyrus and Justin Beiber. Additionally, he is a fan of the Twilight series and eats Taco Bell like a fiend.

10. Author In the Making

Lopez has not released what kind of project he is working, but Lopez did recently acknowledged that he dabbles in authoring a book as well as a comic book. Lopez also says his Twitter account is bogus and not him, and that the loss of Michael Jackson was a tough loss for him. He paid homage to the “King of Pop” by writing “Thriller” on his shoes.