Lorenzo Mata-Real High School Jersey #42 Retired
By Bruin Basketball Report
Accompanied by his family and UCLA Coach Ben Howland, senior center Lorenzo Mata-Real had his jersey #42 retired by Southgate High School during a halftime ceremony of Friday night's game against Eastern League rival South East.
As a senior at Southgate, Mata-Real averaged 25 points and 18 rebounds and made the LA Times' All-Star squad. South Gate went 18-8 overall and finished undefeated in the Eastern League.
Mata-Real was part of Coach Howland's first recruiting class at UCLA in 2004 which included; Mata-Real, Josh Shipp, Jordan Farmar (Lakers), and Arron Afflalo (Pistons).
Video of Mata-Real's ceremony at Southgate High School:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1nI79LIgzs&rel=1]
Labels: Bruin Player News (Current)
BBR :: Article Link :: 4:26 AM ::
11 comments
11 Comments:
Lorenzo!!! The great Bruin warrior!
Congratulations to a great blue collar player who doesn't always gets the headlines but is as valuable as any player on the UCLA team.
Bruin fans may not know it yet, but they will miss Mata-Real more than they know next year. His rebounding, his defense, and presence on the team are incalculable.
See you in the NBA, Lorenzo!
Lorenzo is awesome!!!
Congrats Mata!
Mata is like a rock star in the video. You go....Lorenzo!!!
Congratulations Lorenzo! UCLA fans absolutely love Mata! It goes without saying that he is an exceptional athlete and a tremendous asset to the UCLA basketball team. But he's also well loved by fans and teammates alike for his warm and gentle personality. If you haven't seen a UCLA home game at Pauley, you should know that Mata-Real stands in the middle of the pre-game huddle of players to help fire up his teammates each and every game.
Some UCLA students even printed up t-shirts with a likeness of Mata that says (IIRC) "Member of the Mata Superfan Club". He's been a favorite since his first days at UCLA.
It's also worth noting that Mata has managed to keep his competitive fire despite several bad injuries - he's had to play with a mask on and he was out for some time with a fractured leg bone (from a collision with teammate).
And last but not least Mata has accomplished all of this, and remained true to himself, while studying at one of the greatest universities in the world. (and he's just a few classes away from graduating, too).
Congratulations again Mata!
You da man Mata-Real, GO BRUINS!
just nice to see such a good guy make it by doing everything the right eay.
Lorenzo Mata, what can we say? For those of us teachers who have followed you since your freshman year at South Gate High School and on thru your college years at UCLA we salute you. You are an inspiration to your family, our students and your team mates with your blue-collar no-hold-bars attitude. "Lolo" as we use to cal you, good luck and thank you for all the memories and see you in the NBA!!
I GRADUATED FROM CAL BERKELEY. I'M SO PROUD
AS A CHICANO,MEXICAN AND LATINO TO SEE
LORENZO BEING ANOTHER SOUL TO ACCOMPLISH
HIS DREAMS. THERE ARE STILL MORE DREAMS.
IT'S NOT EASY BEING BORN IN
THE BELLY OF THE BEAST.
GOOD LUCK I HEAR HE IS IN LAKER CAMP.
I appreciate Lorenzo, but being borne in the belly of the beast? Waht a way to crap on a great individual and his accomplishments! Your so jealous that you can't give him his own due. Keep those nasty memarks away from a great thing!
I appreciate Lorenzo with all the spirit of triumphant existence. The previous blog was intended to counter the way Mr Berkley had to include his accomplishments in such a semi racial way. Be proud; however, trying to eclipse, or associate your success with his-seems like your using his accomplishment as a means to boast. NOT COOL! The Belly of the Beast- The only beast is your self. Racist remarks have no room here. Let his accomplishments be for everyone to enjoy. Sorry Mata.
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