Next Stars combine in NBA Draft race

New Zealand Breakers star Karim Lopez will head to the NBA Draft Combine as he continues to strengthen his case as a lottery prospect.

The NBL Next Star was one of 73 players to receive an invite to the Combine in Chicago in May.

Earlier this week, the 19-year-old was ranked as the 11th overall prospect in ESPN’s latest mock draft.

Meanwhile, South East Melbourne Phoenix Next Star Malique Lewis is also catching the attention of NBA scouts, with a chance to impress at the G League Combine as part of a group of 44 NBA Draft hopefuls.

A select group of standouts from the G League Combine, to be held in early May, will then earn invitations to the NBA Draft Combine.

Lewis spent the last two years with the Phoenix, improving his points, rebounds and assists averages in NBL26.