You’ll struggle to find someone who speaks as highly of the Next Stars program as OKC and Boomers star Josh Giddey, and the former Adelaide 36er has revealed his role in helping the NBL attract some of the world's top talent to the competition.

Giddey played one season with the Adelaide 36ers as part of the Next Stars program. He was named the NBL’s Rookie of the Year in 2021 and was then selected sixth overall by the Thunder in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Since then he’s gone on to become one of the world’s most exciting young talents, and recently led Australia at the FIBA World Cup.

Speaking at the NBA’s media day, Giddey says he tries to remain involved in the NBL as much as possible.

“Keeping my fingertips on the NBL is something I want to do, and I’m a huge advocate for kids taking that pathway,” he said.

“We’ve seen it really take off and it’s proven to be a legitimate pathway. You’re getting some of the best kids from here and Europe and around the world that are coming to the NBL to take their steppingstone to the NBA.

“You see Alex Sarr who’s going to be a top five pick this year who could have gone just about anywhere in the world and chose to come to the NBL.”

Giddey’s history with not just the NBL but the 36ers has seen him play a role in discussions with potential Next Stars about choosing the league as their next destination.

“I try and play my part in helping recruit Next Stars and – not convince them – but talking to guys about pros and cons of moving to Australia, and there’s a lot more pros than there are cons,” he said.

“Trentyn Flowers – the kid at Adelaide – I had a bit to do earlier on helping him and I can speak from experience because I played at Adelaide so that was easy to talk with him on that.”