“We’re delighted to have Lebron join the OTE family as we expand our international reach, bringing in top talent from across the globe,” said Brandon Williams, OTE executive vice president and head of basketball operations, in the SI report. 

“Francis is a young man who has impressed us with both the combination of pure passion for the game and self-improvement, physical athleticism, work ethic, as well as many leadership intangibles. He’s the kind of player we want and expect to thrive at OTE.”

While the Ateneo Blue Eaglets Lopez tweeted his delight on the chance given to him to prove what he is made of as well as the weight of being the first Filipino recruited by the team.

“I am humbled and grateful to Overtime Elite (OTE) for believing in me and helping me get closer to my dreams. I will work hard to live up to their faith. As OTE leadership said, I will be the first Filipino player to join them. It is an honor that I will not take for granted. I will not let our country down. I will work very hard to represent us well,” he said.

Lopez was the last cut in the Gilas lineup before the national team flew to Belgrade for the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

The young man also gave a special thank you to all those people who helped him at the beginning of his journey.

“I want to say a special thank you to the people who helped me at the beginning of my journey—Coach Reggie and Coach Tab and Mr. Al Panlilio and Mr. Pangilinan and the SBP—they saw the spark of potential in a young kid and supported it.”