NBA Reps Flock to Rupert

Sunday, February 5, 2023

All eyes will be on the New Zealand Breakers and NBL Next Star Rayan Rupert in tonight’s game against the Brisbane Bullets, with reports around 20 representatives from NBA teams will be in attendance.

All eyes will be on the New Zealand Breakers and NBL Next Star Rayan Rupert in tonight’s game against the Brisbane Bullets, with reports around 20 representatives from NBA teams will be in attendance.

Rupert’s NBA draft stock has been on the rise during his campaign with the Breakers. The French sensation is projected to be a first round pick in this year’s draft, with many predicting he could jump into the lottery.

The NBL Next Stars program has produced three lottery picks in the last three NBA drafts including Ousmane Dieng (pick 11, 2022), Josh Giddey (pick 6, 2021) and LaMelo Ball (pick 3, 2020).

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tonight, all eyes are on the New Zealand Breakers and NBL Next Star Rayan Rupert, with reports around 20 representatives from NBA teams will be in attendance. <a href="https://t.co/3pF1y4d2an">pic.twitter.com/3pF1y4d2an</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1621656329315291136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Rupert is averaging 8.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game, while causing constant disruption on the defensive end. His confidence and aggressiveness on the offensive end have also grown significantly as the season has progressed.

The Breakers and Bullets clash tonight at 8pm AEDT. If New Zealand wins, they will finish in second spot and punch its ticket directly to the Playoffs.