Brook Lopez

It didn’t take much for Brook Lopez and the New Jersey Nets — with 18 offensive rebounds and 23 turnovers forced — to prove their willingness to hustle on a minute-for-minute basis against the Oklahoma City Thunder on January 12, 2009. As the Nets’ new No. 10 pick would eventually show, that same workman-like approach also applied in overtime. Stationed atop the key in search of a dagger-type offensive play, Lopez, surveying his options, works a handoff, pick-and-roll mix with his All-Star point guard. Reporting for clean-up duty after the Thunder collapse on his teammate’s drive, Lopez takes to the air, timing up in a putback flush, gifting the Nets a late, four-point lead. New Jersey, a near-perfect 5-1 in overtime in 2009, showed resilience when their initial game-winner in regulation was wiped away. Successful in reinventing himself — from a low-post star to a versatile three-level sniper by career’s end — Lopez made his potential evident immediately. In the win, the talented 7-foot-1 rookie offered 31 points, including 14 in the open, alongside 13 rebounds, two blocks, and efficient play from the field (10-of-17) and from the charity stripe (11-of-12).

Rookie Year