He’s the NBL’s newest Next Star signing, and Karim López says his decision to move to Australia is the best way to help him realise his NBA dream.

The 17-year-old wing isn’t draft eligible until 2026, but is already heavily on the radar of NBA teams.

López will spend the next two seasons with the New Zealand Breakers, a club already boasting a strong record with previous Next Stars like Rayan Rupert, RJ Hampton and Ousmane Dieng.

“I feel it fits me the best. I feel like it’s the best path for me because the (Next Stars) program is already a proven program,” López told HoopsHype.

“I’m going to be playing against more men, so that’s a really competitive league ... really good league. I feel like it’s going to help me a lot to mature in my game and be better.”

López already has national team experience, having represented Mexico in the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July. 

He has spent the past two years playing for Joventut Badalona in Spain and is currently participating in the Under Armour Next Elite 24 event in New York.

“I feel like I can do a little bit of everything,” López said of his game.

“My versatility, because I can play a lot of positions, a lot of roles and I just make winning plays, so I feel like that’s my biggest strength.

“Overall I’ve got to improve, but I just need to become a great shooter, a great ball handler … I feel like that would make a difference for me.” 

López becomes New Zealand’s fifth ever Next Star, with three of their previous four drafted directly to the NBA; Hampton (pick 24, 2020), Dieng (pick 11, 2022) and Rupert (pick 43, 2023).

He is the sixth confirmed Next Star for NBL25, alongside Rocco Zikarsky (Brisbane Bullets), Alex Toohey (Sydney Kings), Roman Siulepa (Tasmania JackJumpers), Izan Almansa (Perth Wildcats) and Malique Lewis (South East Melbourne Phoenix). 

Read the full story here >> Karim Lopez on NBL: 'I feel like it's the best path for me'