Ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft, check out in-depth profiles of each of the NBL Next Stars vying to be selected.

Watch the NBA Draft live on ESPN via Kayo on Thursday morning from 9.30am AEST, with the second round on Friday from 6am.

RELATED: When, where and how to watch

Name: AJ Johnson
Position: G
Height: 6'6
Weight: 76 kg
Age: 19
Born: USA

A shifty guard whose athleticism, potential and recent performance at the draft combine will make NBA teams intrigued.

The high-flying Hawks Next Star possesses many of the physical traits of Portland Trail Blazers star Anfernee Simons. If Johnson is to fulfil his potential at the next level, his ability to get to the basket and shoot from the outside provides a similar offensive profile to Simons. 

Anfernee Simons.

Likely selection: Pick 25-35

Experts have the bouncy wing projected anywhere from the mid-first round to the late-first round in the upcoming NBA Draft. 

AJ Johnson at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine.

Averages: 2.8 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 0.7 APG
Season highlight: Round 10 vs Perth Wildcats - 8 PTS (3-8 FG), 3 REB, 2 AST, 1 BLK

Johnson’s quickness combined with his athleticism means he can get to the rim already at the professional level. A quality form on his jump shot is evident and his ability to consistently knock down shots will unlock the next level to his game.

“Johnson is the guard with the highest upside in the draft and could sneak inside the first round with how well he played at the combine.” - Krysten Peek (Yahoo)

“Johnson’s ability to get to spots as a scorer in a fluid, on-balance manner is real. His jumper is mechanically sound, both off the catch and bounce … everything looks clean and pure enough to where Johnson should be a very high-level shooter down the road.” - Sam Vecenie (The Athletic)

Name: Alex Sarr
Position: F/C
Height: 7’1
Weight: 101 kg
Age: 19
Born: France

An athletic, defensive gazelle who runs the floor and has enough offensive potential to become a great two-way player at the next level.

The seven-foot-one Frenchman's ability to protect the paint and shoot from beyond the arc is similar to the NBA's 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Jaren Jackson Jr.

Likely selection: Pick 1-2

Alex Sarr is projected by all major outlets to be selected with either pick one or pick two at the upcoming NBA Draft. 

Averages: 9.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.5 BPG
Season highlight: Round 17 vs SEM Phoenix: 18 PTS (6-8 FG), 5 BLK in 18 minutes

Alex Sarr is next in line of supremely talented French big men. His mix of mobility, athleticism and switchability on defense makes that end his current calling card, but it doesn’t stop there.

He has shown glimpses of what he can do on offense as well. A controlled touch around the rim, passing ability, capability to knock down the 3 and even a bit of a face-up game makes his potential as not only an elite defender, but a great two-way player a very real thing.

"Sarr would fill an immediate need with his size, length, defensive versatility and rim protection, leading the Australian NBL in block percentage by a wide margin. He has real upside to tap into in other areas as well, flashing ability as a pick-and-roll finisher, perimeter shooter, ball handler and passer." - Jonathan Givony (ESPN)

"The obvious draw to Sarr revolves around his rim protection, defensive switchability and potential to stretch from the floor from the 4 or 5 positions." - Jonathan Wasserman (Bleacher Report)

Name: Ariel Hukporti
Position: C
Height: 7'0
Weight: 113 kg
Age: 22
Born: Germany

A mobile center who runs the floor, blocks shots and finishes above the rim.

The athletic Hukporti has drawn comparisons to Miami's Thomas Bryant. Each are known for their interior presence around the basket at both ends of the court. 

Thomas Bryant.

Likely selection: Second round (Picks 31-58)

Hukporti has been mocked in the second round by ESPN for most of the 2024 draft cycle.  

Averages: 7.9 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.5 BPG
Season highlight: Round 4 vs Illawarra - 21 PTS (6-7 FG), 10 REB, 1 BLK, 1 STL

Hukporti is a defensive athletic big who feeds off offensive rebounds, alley-oops and pick and roll play. Defensively he blocks shots and protects the rim at a high quality level.

Hukporti already has a number of years of experience as a pro which would fill any team with more confidence about his ability to adapt to new situations and find his role.

“He showed that he can be an elite player at the defensive end of the floor." - Dean Vickerman (Melbourne United Head Coach)

“His ability to catch the ball, finish above the rim, his shot-blocking ability, his robust athleticism, and he’s starting to develop.” - Andrew Gaze (NBL Legend)

Name: Bobi Klintman
Position: F
Height: 6'9
Weight: 102 kg
Age: 21
Born: Sweden

A Swedish swiss army knife you can plug and play into numerous different roles as a forward.

The Cairns Next Star possesses a variety of versatile skills, aligning his potential with two-way NBA wings in the mould of Nicolas Batum, Khris Middleton and Trevor Ariza.

Nicolas Batum.

Likely selection: Pick 15-30

Scouts have the Swedish wing projected anywhere from the mid-first round to the late-first round in the upcoming NBA Draft. 

Bobi Klintman at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine.

Averages: 9.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 0.8 SPG
Season highlight: Round 12 vs Perth Wildcats - 24 PTS (6-8 FG), 7 REB, 1 BLK, 3 STLS, 3-4 3PT, 9-10 FT

In an NBA world where versatile players who can knock down shots are thriving, Bobi Klintman fits the mould to a tee. Klintman is a two-way player who shows glimpses in many different areas including defensively, 3-point shooting, ability to handle the rock and to make smart passes as well.

“Klintman has impressive size, length and explosiveness for a perimeter prospect. He can play the small forward or power forward positions while offering versatility as a 3-point shooter, above-the-rim finisher and defensive playmaker.” - Jonathan Givony (ESPN)

“Projects as a high-floor contributor as long as his shooting numbers translate to the pros and continue to improve.” - Kevin O’Connor (Ringer)

Name: Mantas Rubstavicius
Position: G/F
Height: 6'7
Weight: 83kg
Age: 22
Born: Lithuania

A Lithuanian sharpshooter who has great size and professional experience this early into his career.

The 22-year-old wing possess many of the same attributes as another European sharpshooter, Atlanta's Bogdan Bogdanovic.

Bogdan Bogdanovic.

Likely selection: Second round (Picks 31-58)

Rubstavicius is a dark-horse candidate to be selected in the second round of the upcoming NBA Draft. 

Averages: 9.4 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.2 APG, 42.5% 3PT
Season highlight: Round 11 vs Cairns - 21 PTS (5-8 FG), 8 REB, 3 AST, 2-3 3PT

Known as a shooter, that is clearly Rubstavicius’ draw card, but his ability to put it on the floor and score in other ways is constantly growing. Rubstavicius is also a competitor, someone who wants to win and plays the right way.

“Out of all the potential Next Stars who are available this year, Mantas is the one player who cares about winning more than anything else." - Mody Maor (Former New Zealand Breakers Coach)

Name: Trentyn Flowers
Position: G/F
Height: 6'7
Weight: 93kg
Age: 19
Born: USA

An energetic athlete with the right size and shooting potential to make an impact at the next level.

The two-way potential Flowers possesses on the wing, combined with his vertical athleticism, draws similar comparisons to NBA veteran forward Kelly Oubre Jr.

Kelly Oubre Jr.

Likely selection: Pick 30-40

Major media outlets have the American wing projected in the early to mid-second round of the NBA Draft. 

Averages: 5.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 42% 3PT
Season highlight: Round 3 vs Illawarra: 23 PTS (8-10 FG), 3 REB, 1 STL, 5-5 3PT

Flowers isn’t short on explosiveness or athleticism. He’s an exciting athlete with lots of energy to give out on the floor. This helps his defense, and ability to get out in transition and finish above the rim. Flowers has the ability to knock down his shots, and improved his consistency across NBL24.

“Potential walking bucket thanks to his size, fluidity, and athleticism.” - Kevin O’Connor (Ringer)

"Flowers is a great athlete and a lethal playmaker in transition ... if the game starts to slow down and he can process it at a higher rate, his draft stock will skyrocket." - Sports Illustrated