The NBL Next Stars program has added another exciting NBA prospect with 17-year-old Karim López signing with the New Zealand Breakers on a multi-year deal. 

A 6’8 versatile wing from Mexico, López is already heavily on the radar of NBA teams despite not being draft eligible until 2026. He is a projected first-round selection in 2026 and, with two years to further develop in the NBL, López’s stock is expected to grow while playing for the Breakers. 

Despite his young age, López already has national team experience, having represented Mexico in the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico in July. 

The talented teen 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 Brooklyn, New York.

López was named to the All-Tournament Team at the 2024 Adidas Next Generation Tournament in Paris – a major youth club competition comprising of some of the world’s best rising talent – as he put up 18 points and 11 rebounds per game, while connecting on 41 percent of his three-point attempts.

“This is a massive signing for the Next Stars program, and we are incredibly excited to watch Karim progress in the NBL over the next two years,” GM of Next Stars Recruitment Liam Santamaria said. 

“Karim is a long, mobile wing who possesses NBA-level positional size and a versatile skillset at both ends of the floor. He can defend multiple positions and impacts the game with his length, awareness, and impressive basketball instincts. 

“Offensively, Karim is a smooth operator who can handle the rock, get above the rim, and knock it down from long range.

“The Breakers have an impressive history of developing Next Stars and I have no doubt this is Karim’s best path to maximising his potential as an NBA draft prospect.”

This is New Zealand’s fifth Next Star in its history, with three of their previous four drafted directly to the NBA; RJ Hampton (pick 24, 2020), Ousmane Dieng (pick 11, 2022) and Rayan Rupert (pick 43, 2023).

"Nurturing Karim to his potential is going to be a thrilling project over the next two years," Breakers coach Petteri Koponen said.

"I have seen him play many times, and he will improve and get better every day, training alongside real men and professionals on our roster.

"Being in this environment every day competing against professionals in the NBL will take Karim to the next level, and that's the best way for him to get better."

The Next Stars program is a proven pathway to the NBA for young prospects across the world. Nine Next Stars have been drafted directly from the NBL to the NBA - LaMelo Ball (pick 3, 2020), Hampton (pick 24, 2020), Josh Giddey (pick 6, 2021), Dieng (pick 11, 2022), Rupert (pick 43, 2023), Alex Sarr (pick 2, 2024), AJ Johnson (pick 23, 2024), Bobi Klintman (pick 37, 2024) and Ariel Hukporti (pick 58, 2024). Impressively, the program has produced six first round picks across the past five NBA Drafts.

The influence of the Next Stars program on the basketball world is growing, with NBA legends Carmelo Anthony (Global Ambassador) and Kenny Smith (Head of Next Stars Player Initiatives - North America) recently joining the program in an official capacity. 

López is the sixth confirmed Next Star for the 2024/25 season, joining Rocco Zikarsky (Brisbane Bullets), Alex Toohey (Sydney Kings), Roman Siulepa (Tasmania JackJumpers), Izan Almansa (Perth Wildcats) and Malique Lewis (South East Melbourne Phoenix).