Rayan Rupert is set to become the latest graduate from the NBL Next Stars program to achieve the dream of getting drafted – and according to him, it’s his destiny.

A solid season for the New Zealand Breakers has Rupert primed to make an immediate impact on the NBA, and recent mock drafts have him being selected anywhere between the 18^th and 29^th selections.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&quot;Basketball is my destiny&quot; ?<br><br>NBL23 Next Star Rayan Rupert will know his NBA home very soon. It&#39;s written in the stars ? <a href="https://t.co/O46ec7DYyb">pic.twitter.com/O46ec7DYyb</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1672039911539773440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“Basketball is my destiny,” Rupert said on the morning of the draft. “That’s been my dream since I was very young so I’m very excited.

“I started to play when I was three years old, and always knew I wanted to play in the NBA.

“I’ve been working very hard for this.”

While Rupert is almost certainly going to fulfil his dream of playing in the NBA next season, he won’t be resting on his laurels.

“The draft is amazing but it’s just the beginning of my dream,” Rupert continued.

“I’m just trying to enjoy this. It happens just once in your life.

“For me it was my destiny to play in the NBA. I’ve always known I wanted to play in the NBA. I’ve been working very hard for this.

“I want to play in the NBA and be one of the best two-way players in the league.”

Rupert’s countryman and close friend Victor Wembanyama was selected with the first pick of the draft.