Stanford men's basketball fans would have preferred to continue watching Brook Lopez in a Cardinal uniform. They'll have to be satisfied with watching him play in the NBA.

Lopez, a third-team All-American this past season, began his professional career on Thursday night when he was selected in the first round by the New Jersey Nets with the 10th overall pick.

"I've always been a California guy, the Bay Area, L.A., Fresno," Lopez said. "Now I can go to the opposite side of the country on the East Coast and the biggest city in the country."

Robin Lopez, who also declared himself for the NBA draft, went to the Phoenix Suns with the 15th overall pick of the first round.

"I've had a great time playing with my brother," Robin said. "It's been easy for me knowing he's such a great player. I think the NBA won't be a problem adjusting. It will be a different experience."

Brook Lopez averaged 19.3 points and 8.2 rebounds a game in his sophomore season, leading the Cardinal to an appearance in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen for the first time in seven years.

"It is a dream to play in the NBA and I am ready to take on the challenge," Lopez said. "I know there is a lot of hard work ahead and I am excited to begin."

His baseline leaner with 1.3 seconds left in overtime against Marquette has been stamped into the memory banks as one of those unforgettable moments in basketball lore.

Brook averaged 16.0 points and 7.1 rebounds over the course of his 53-game college career. He added 101 blocked shots and shot 48 percent from the field.

"I see myself as an energy guy off the bench," Brook said. "I can help on the defensive end, clog up the lanes."

Lopez, who worked out only for the Seattle Sonics and the Charlotte Bobcats, was not surprised to be taken by the Nets.

"I learned not to expect anything," he said. "I was just sitting here enjoying the ride and waiting to see where I'd go. I just rolled with it. I thought it would be a little bizarre."

Nets' coach Lawrence Frank said Lopez filled a few holes.

"We needed interior scoring, interior toughness and size," Frank said. "With Brook we've answered those questions. In arguably the toughest conference in the country, he led Stanford to a good season."

Robin Lopez was Stanford's second-leading scorer and rebounder last season at 10.2 points and 5.7 rebounds. He was an all-Pac-10 honorable mention.

"I have always hoped I would have an opportunity to play in the NBA," Robin Lopez said. "I have developed a lot as a basketball player and as a person over the past two years."

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