Next Star's stock soars in latest NBA Draft rankings

Next Star Karim Lopez features prominently in ESPN Draft expert Jeremy Woo’s updated Top 100 list of prospects headed into the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft.

Lopez, who has been viewed as the best prospect ever out of Mexico and is coming off a strong month of January highlighted by his 32-point performance against Melbourne United, made it back to the Top 10 in the highly-touted ESPN rankings.

“Now up to 50% shooting from the field on the season, Karim’s positional size, perimeter skill and toughness give him a strong developmental base to build on,” Woo wrote.

“Lopez has helped stabilise his stock with his productivity, no small feat being 18 years old in a pro league.”

Lopez has taken significant strides in his second season in the NBL, averaging 11.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals a game for the New Zealand Breakers.

Next Stars have been selected in each of the past six NBA Drafts, with six prospects from the program snapped up across the past two NBA Drafts alone.

In total, 11 Next Stars have been drafted directly from the NBL to the NBA since 2020; LaMelo Ball (2020), RJ Hampton (2020), Josh Giddey (2021), Ousmane Dieng (2022), Rayan Rupert (2023), Alex Sarr (2024), AJ Johnson (2024), Bobi Klintman (2024), Ariel Hukporti (2024), Rocco Zikarsky (2025) and Alex Toohey (2025), while Lopez and Dash Daniels (Melbourne United) are projected to be selected in this year’s draft, set to be held in Brooklyn in June.