Lautaro Lopez is 1999 born creative lead guard from Argentina who remains a bit under the radar but is currently taking low level competition by storm. After starring on international scene with youth national teams especially at U17 World Cup in Zaragoza, he took well known route where he comes from and took his talents to Europe at the age of 18 as he signed long term deal with Baskonia. How does he reminisce time spent in the city of Vitoria Gasteiz?
“First two years in Baskonia were amazing. We’ ve built a great team, very young team with amazing chemistry. First year we almost get to playoffs and second year we got a pretty bad year. For me last year was very good in terms of training. I worked a lot on my game and learnt a lot from the first team but I wasn’t playing at all so that got me a little bit frustrated. Besides basketball I made tons of friends so for me those were good times.”
During the time in Baskonia Lautaro had a chance to practise with his countryman Luca Vildoza. Is he someone he looks up to? Who are some other players that he models his game after?
“Yes he is. Luca works a lot and also he is a very talented player. I was lucky last season i could train with him. I like also Campazzo, Chacho and Rubio. I think they are my main role models.”
Argentina has 4 playmakers in Euroleague and your starting center who battled Gobert and Jokic at World Cup is just solid pro in Europe. How can it be explained? Is development system guard oriented?
“I think in Argentina basketball is growing exponentially. Every year the size and the quality of the players is better and better. Golden generation changed the mindset in every aspect of Argentinian basketball. I think the result we are getting now it’s a mirror of that group and that makes you work harder everyday to reach that level.”
In search of playing time Lautaro lately moved to Slovakian league where he signed one year deal with Inter Bratislava. Destination seems somewhat unpopular. How did that come about?
“Well my agent told me about this possibility, we discussed it and thought it was the best because i needed to play. So the club contact me after and i liked their proposal. Im working also to get european passport so it helps me on the market.”
One of the factors behind the decision was also head coach of Inter – Alberto Blanco. Spanish executive used to work for Lietuvos Rytas is well known in scouting community from running New Basketball Generation scouting service which I had a pleasure to be a part of prior Eurospects. He also acts as an assistant to Zan Tabak in Slovakian senior representation.
“He is great, I really like him. It’s his first year as a head coach and I think he is doing fantastic. We got a good relationship so he got a lot of confidence in me and that helps me to improve my game. The thing I like the most is that he is very loyal to his words. Whatever he says good or bad it’s always true and honest.”
This year can help Lautaro a lot but obviously it’s meant to be just a short stop on the road to the higher level. He emphasises on well roundedness while asked about what he needs to get there:
“I try to be better every day so I work pretty much on everything. The main thing I focus is on my 3 point shot but I try to be as complete as I can.” At the same time talented guard points his feel for the game as main strength.
Since scouting is always about projecting we had to ask about Lautaro’s upside and future goals. Where does he see himself playing next season? Where does he want to be in 5 years?
“To be honest I am just focused on the day by day duties so I don’t pay too much attention of what can happen next season. I would like to be at elite level next years and try to perform there as one of top players.”
Time will tell if Lautaro becomes another Argentinian in Euroleague or not but he clearly deserves a spot in better league in 2021/2022 season.
