Lorenzo Mata

Lorenzo Mata-Real (born February 27, 1986) is an American former professional basketball player. He was the center for the UCLA Bruins men's basketball team from 2004–05 until 2007–08, and was an important part of their final four runs in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Born in the United States, Mata has also played for the Mexico national team.

Lorenzo Mata
Personal information
Born (1986-02-27) February 27, 1986
Huntington Park, California
NationalityAmerican / Mexican
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High schoolSouth Gate (South Gate, California)
CollegeUCLA (2004–2008)
NBA draft2008: undrafted
Playing career2008–2020
PositionCenter
Career history
2008–2010Halcones UV Xalapa
2010Caballeros de Culiacán
2010–2012Halcones UV Xalapa
2012Pioneros de Quintana Roo
2012–2013Halcones UV Xalapa
2013Piratas de Quebradillas
2013–2016Halcones UV Xalapa
2016–2017Toros de Nuevo Laredo
2017–2018Soles de Mexicali
2018–2019Libertadores de Querétaro
2019–2020Soles de Mexicali
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Mexico
FIBA AmeriCup
Gold medal – first place2013 Venezuela
Bronze medal – third place2017 Argentina

High school

Mata averaged 25.0 points and 15.0 rebounds in his senior season.[1] 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

Mata 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). 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 played in the LNBP for the Halcones de Xalapa[2][3] and for the Mexico National Team,[4][5] and for Piratas de Quebradillas, with whom he won the 2013 BSN Championship.

In 2013, Mata helped lead Mexico to victory in the gold medal game against Puerto Rico at the FIBA Americas Championship.

Pan American Games
  • Pan American Games 2011 Silver Medal

FIBA AmeriCup
  • FIBA Americas Championship 2013 Gold Medal

Centrobasket
  • Centrobasket 2016 Silver Medal

References
  1. Archived July 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  2. |Roster, Halcones UV, Xalapa Archived January 30, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  3. Bill Plaschke (2011-03-18). "Gators | Bruins get another shot at the Gators – Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
  4. FIBA.com Lorenzo Real Aguilar
  5. "Pan American Games Basketball | U.S. loses to Mexico in Pan American Games basketball semifinals – Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. 2010-04-01. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
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