Joe Lopez

Biographical notes
 I was born in Dakar Senegal.  Starting playing basketball because I had two older sisters who were playing basketball and were members of the national team.

Started mini basketball with my team club Jeanne D’ARC at the tender age of 7. Many years later became an elite member of that club which won numerous trophies.

In 1977 was the starting center of the Senegalese national at the age of seventeen (17)  that won gold at the African championship.  In 1978 won the the gold medal at the Africa games in Algeria.

Went to the US in 1978 on full scholarship at North Carolina Agricultural and State University on a full scholarship.  Thus becoming the first African player ever to play division 1 basketball at a US university.  I Was starting center as a freshman at my school. Won three (3) Mid Eastern Athletics Conference (MEAC).  Participated in two (2) NCAA March madness tournaments.

Obtained a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Master’s in Agriculture Economics.

Work as an American diplomat for nearly 30 years.  Represented the USA in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Botswana, Swaziland, Mozambique, Angola, Namibia, Egypt, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico.

Retired from US government, returned to Senegal.  President of SEEDPROJECT, and also serve as an International Consultant.