Lopez returns for celebrity basketball classic

When Felipe Lopez left the Queens campus at St. John's University, he may not have reached the lofty expectations heaped upon him by the media prior to his arrival. Still, the former Red Storm standout and NBA veteran has a fond recollection of his four years there.
As such, he will return home to his alma mater for a star-studded celebrity basketball event on Saturday, August 12 at 4:30 p.m. at Carnesecca Arena. The First Annual Felipe Lopez Celebrity Classic will benefit the Felipe Lopez Foundation which emphasizes healthy lifestyles and education for low-income and Latino youth in New York City and provides funding for young children involved in sports.
&#8220I have some great memories playing at St. John's and could think of no other place to host our first event. It will be a special homecoming for me and our foundation is thrilled to have the support of the university as we gain momentum in helping to serve the youth of New York City,” said Lopez. &#8220This, we hope, will become an annual celebrity basketball event that will entertain children and adults of all ages.”
Selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 24th pick in the 1998 NBA Draft, Lopez was immediately traded to the Vancouver Grizzlies. In four NBA seasons, he averaged 5.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, and one assist per game with three different teams. Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Lopez starred at Rice High School in Harlem and graced the cover of Sports Illustrated prior to playing his first college game. Although he never led the Red Storm to the NCAA Tournament, Lopez finished third all-time in career points with 1,927, and was named to the All-Big East first team after averaging 17.6 point-per-game as a senior in 1997-98. Lopez spent his last professional season with Lleida in Spain.
The charity event will attract former and current NBA stars as well as entertainers from the world of music and sports. A live performance by the Beatnuts and Kenny Muhammad-The Human Orchestra will augment the coaching debut of New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury and performing artists Lil' Romeo and Nina Sky will lace up their sneakers to participate in the celebrity game. These are just some of the highlights scheduled for an afternoon of hoops and hip-hop entertainment. Other scheduled performances and celebrity guests will be announced shortly.
Tickets for the event are $20 and can be purchased by calling 1-888-GO-STORM or visiting the St. John's University Ticket Office on the their campus at 8000 Utopia Parkway in Queens.
For more information, visit the Felipe Lopez Foundation web site at www.felipelopezfoundation.org.