April 22, 2004

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Tiger head coach John Calipari announced Thursday that Ivan Lopez, a freshman on the 2003-04 squad, will leave the University of Memphis to play in a professional basketball league in Spain.

"Ivan made solid contributions for us this past season," said Calipari. "He is in good academic standing at the university, but Ivan feels that this is an opportunity he could not pass up. Ivan played the game with passion and desire, and he will be sorely missed by our program."

Lopez played in 28 of the Tigers' 30 games this season, getting the starting nod 12 times. The 6-foot-8, 236-pound forward averaged 3.7 points and 2.9 rebounds, while shooting 50 percent from the field. Lopez scored a career-high 10 points against Tennessee-Martin Dec. 3 and Oakland Dec. 29 and grabbed a career-best 13 boards versus Houston Jan. 24.

The Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, native proved to be a clutch performer in big games for the Tigers, coming up with big rebounds and timely baskets in home wins over Missouri and Louisville and road victories at TCU and East Carolina.

Lopez received the team's Hustle Award at the squad's postseason awards banquet last Sunday.