NBA and Euro scouts to descend on HoopsFest

Not only will fans from across Australia descend on Perth for HoopsFest this week, but the global basketball community will also be there to witness the elite talent on display.

CODE Sports has revealed that at least 15 NBA teams, along with Spain’s Valencia Basket, will be represented at the four day HoopsFest spectacle, with a broad mix of general managers, assistant general managers, executives, directors and international scouts expected to be in attendance from each organisation.

The teams said to be attending include the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings and Toronto Raptors.

As well as analysing the competition's elite talent, the international representatives will be scoping the NBL's Next Stars, including Karim Lopez (New Zealand) and Dash Daniels (Melbourne) ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft in June.

Multiple NBL players, including Rocco Zikarsky (former Bullets Next Star now with the Minnesota Timberwolves) and Lachlan Olbrich (former Hawk who now plays with the Chicago Bulls), have benefitted from these representatives attending the inaugural HoopsFest, as it leads to being drafted, two-way contracts or NBA Summer League call ups.

GM of NBL Next Stars recruitment Liam Santamaria believes the global presence at HoopsFest in Perth gives the event an extra edge.

“It’s very exciting to have such a large contingent of NBA executives and scouts heading to Perth next week for HoopsFest,” Santamaria said to CODE Sports.

“With a number of really talented Next Stars in action, including highly projected prospects like Karim Lopez and Dash Daniels, it’s a valuable opportunity for NBA teams to get eyes on these future draft picks in high level games that really matter.

“HoopsFest is a fabulous event that brings Australian and New Zealand basketball together, but this NBA presence adds a global element that helps take the event to a whole other level.”

The HoopsFest action tips off on Thursday, when the Sydney Kings battle the Brisbane Bullets from 9.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.

Find out more about HoopsFest, including how to secure your tickets here.

Read the full story here >> NBA and Euro reps HoopsFest bound