Record-setting Next Star declares for NBA Draft

NBL Next Star Karim Lopez is one step closer to achieving his NBA dream after declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday AEDT.

This decision comes after two standout seasons with the New Zealand Breakers, where the teenager set numerous NBL records, including becoming the youngest player in league history to record a double-double.

Lopez, who will turn 19 next month, averaged 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game across the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 season, while shooting 49 per cent from the field and committing just 1.5 turnovers per game. 

A 6-foot-9 forward with a versatile skill-set, he set several all-time marks for draft-eligible NBL Next Stars, including the single-season points record, totalling 358 in his 30 starts. 

He was also the only player across the 2025-26 regular season to average at least 6 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block while committing less than 2 turnovers per game.

On making his decision, Lopez, who helped the Breakers win the first-ever Ignite Cup Final, is excited to take another big step towards the NBA.

“It's been my dream and my goal my whole life to play in the NBA,” Lopez said to ESPN.

“Honestly, since I can remember. I was probably like five years old, making drawings of myself playing in the NBA. It's pretty special to be in this position right now.”

Lopez, who is projected to become the first Mexican-born first-round pick in NBA history, is the current number 11 prospect on ESPN's Big Board.

Upon reflecting on his two seasons in the NBL, Lopez explained how beneficial it was to play against grown men in a professional environment, each and every day.

“[The NBL] was a lot of learning in both years, a great chapter of my life. I'm really happy about the experience I gained, all the preparation,” Lopez said.

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The NBA Draft Combine will take place May 10-17 in Chicago, before the 2026 Draft in June.

The Next Stars program has seen six players drafted in the first round across the last six NBA drafts, including LaMelo Ball (2020), Josh Giddey (2021), Ousmane Dieng (2022) and Alex Sarr (2024), all being selected inside the lottery.

Read the full story here >> Mexican prospect Karim Lopez declares for NBA draft