Rupert Rises to 13 on Draft Board

Saturday, February 18, 2023

NBL Next Star Rayan Rupert’s draft stock continues to skyrocket, with the New Zealand Breaker coming in at number 13 on The Athletic’s latest NBA mock draft.

NBL Next Star Rayan Rupert’s draft stock continues to skyrocket, with the New Zealand Breaker coming in at number 13 on The Athletic’s latest NBA mock draft.

Rupert has been on a tear since returning from a midseason wrist injury, becoming a menace to deal with on the defensive end and playing more aggressively on offence.

The French sensation has earned the trust of coach Mody Maor, who has inserted Rupert into the starting line-up during the Playoffs.

Rupert is now destined to be a first round draft pick, with The Athletic draft expert Sam Vecenie predicting the 18-year-old could be a lottery pick.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">‘’Basketball is my life’’ - Rayan Rupert ?<br><br>The NBL’s Next Star sensation talks about his experience playing for the <a href="https://twitter.com/NZBreakers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NZBreakers</a> under Mody and his plans for an NBA future ?<br><br>Catch the action live TONIGHT at 7:30pm AEDT on ESPN via Kayo Freebies ? <a href="https://t.co/LSTtkev8L3">pic.twitter.com/LSTtkev8L3</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1626016680089649152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“At 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, Rupert has the kind of tools every scout wants,” Vecenie wrote.

“He’s a good athlete, and he has strong feel for the game. Having grown up as a point guard, Rupert has strong instincts as a passer and consistently makes the right play for his teammates.

“Where he truly shines is on defense. Rupert is aggressive and uses his lateral quickness and length to the utmost degree, making life miserable for opponents.

“That’s where his future is in the NBA: As soon as he gets stronger and more capable of holding up at the point of attack physically, Rupert is going to be a true defensive difference-maker.

“On top of that, Rupert’s background checks have come back pristine. He’s noted in Australia as an exceptionally hard worker, he’s all about the team as opposed to his own ambitions, and he has a remarkably professional mindset.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">There's a reason Rayan Rupert is ranked 17th in ESPN's latest Mock Draft ?<br><br>6'8", 7'3" wingspan, 18 years old and already played professionally? The French Next Star continues to make an impact for the <a href="https://twitter.com/NZBreakers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NZBreakers</a> with his winning plays on both ends of the floor ? <a href="https://t.co/FwNh8a6HIX">pic.twitter.com/FwNh8a6HIX</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1625376488454520832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

New Zealand has become a breeding ground for NBA talent, with RJ Hampton, Ousmane Dieng and Hugo Besson all being drafted after seasons with the Breakers.

Rupert is set to join that group but not before he leads New Zealand in a do-or-die Game 3 against the Tasmania JackJumpers with a spot in the Championship Series on the line.

Tip-off is set for 4pm AEDT at Spark Arena on Sunday, live and free on ESPN via Kayo Freebies.