Why Lopez chose Next Stars path to NBA

The prestigious NBL Next Stars program has helped 13 players get drafted into the NBA, including the likes of LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey, Ousmane Dieng and Alex inside the lottery.

Mexican forward Karim Lopez, who just wrapped up two successful seasons with the New Zealand Breakers, hopes he becomes the 14th when the 2026 NBA Draft happens in a matter of days.

During a recent interview with NBA Today, the 19-year-old explained it was because of those names that he joined the program.

“They, honestly, are a big part of the reason why I went there [to the NBL], and it's a big part of the reason why players keep going there, because it's a great program,” Lopez said to NBA Today.

“It's producing talent, as you’re literally playing against grown men.

“It makes you adapt and be a sponge, trying to learn as much as you can from those guys.

“It’s been a great preparation for me [ahead of the Draft].”

The Draft is something the forward has been working towards since he was a child, and the fact that it’s now within touching distance is really exciting, he says.

“I'm super excited for this whole process, which includes [competing] at the Combine,” he said.

“As we approach the Draft, it's going to be super exciting to hear my name getting called out and go on stage, shake hands and take photos.”

> READ MORE: HOW THE NBL PREPARED KARIM LOPEZ FOR THE NBA

The Next Star, who averaged 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game across the 2025–26 Hungry Jack’s NBL season while shooting 49 per cent from the field, was among the 14 players who received invitations to the draft’s Green Room last week, with six more players receiving invitations this week.

Lopez, who helped the Breakers win the first-ever Ignite Cup Final, has also drawn comparisons to a Hall of Famer, with ESPN’s Marc J. Spears last month saying that he has “Scottie Pippen kind of things to him".

In the latest mock drafts, Yahoo Sports has Lopez slated to be selected with the ninth pick by the Dallas Mavericks, while ESPN’s Jeremy Woo has the Mexican forward projected to go at pick 14 to Charlotte.