Twenty-three year old Dominican Luis Felipe López was selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the draft of the National Basketball Association. Nevertheless, he will begin his professional basketball career with the Grizzlies of Vancouver. Shortly after his draft, the San Antonio Spurs traded him. The draft took place last night in Vancouver, Canada. López is the fifth Dominican to be chosen by a NBA team. But he is the only one to be picked in the first draft. He was selected 24th of 29 players. Prior to him, Hugo Cabrera was signed by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1976. Frank Rodríguez by the San Antonio Spurs in 1984, José Vargas by the Dallas Mavericks. Alfredo Horford by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1987. López played collegiate basketball with St. John’s University of New York. He made the All Stars team of the Big East Conference in his last season with the Red Storm team. He has made the cover of Sport Illustrated magazine and has just graduated in tourism administration. He will have earnings of US$555,900 in his first year, US$639,300 in this second year and US$722,700 in his third year.
