NBL Next Stars turn heads in NBA Draft race

They’re two of the brightest young talents in world basketball right now, and NBL Next Stars Karim Lopez and Dash Daniels are being highly touted in NBA mock drafts.

ESPN’s latest Draft Big Board has Lopez ranked 11th in the 2026 NBA Draft class, with the New Zealand Breakers star drawing high praise from Jeremy Woo.

“Lopez has a chance to become the NBA's first Mexican-born first-round pick, with excellent size, guard skills and good offensive instincts,” Woo said.

“That combination of traits produces a solid NBA baseline, and he has been efficient thus far in the NBL, shooting 51.6 per cent from the field and 41.7 per cent from three with an improved perimeter stroke.

“The appeal is there as a bigger forward who can handle, pass and shoot.”

Lopez has averaged 10 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2 assists per game, with all his key statistics up on his NBL25 production.

Melbourne United guard Daniels is currently ranked 21st, with the 17-year-old the youngest prospect in Woo’s 100-player list.

He has averaged 5.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16 minutes per game across the NBL26 campaign.

“Daniels has carved out an important role in the NBL, earning key minutes on a first-place Melbourne team thanks to his defensive versatility, no small feat for a player his age,” Woo said.

“Daniels is cut from a similar cloth as his older brother, Dyson Daniels. He's physically gifted with excellent defensive upside.”

The pair will be key to their teams’ hopes across NBL26 before heading to the Draft in June.

Read the full story here >> 2026 NBA draft big board rankings: Top 100 prospects