General Manager of the program's player recruitment, Liam Santamaria, joined NBL Now from his hotel room in New York after a whirlwind of two draft days.

Four Next Stars from NBL24 had their names called in round one and two of the draft, along with another being signed immediately after the draft, as their NBA dreams become reality. 

Of the draftees, Alex Sarr at number two became the highest selected NBL player in history, with AJ Johnson, Bobi Klintman, Ariel Hukporti and Trentyn Flowers all also landing on teams. 

“The Next Stars program already has a great reputation over here in the States and worldwide,” Santamaria said.

“It’s become a proven pathway, it’s proof of concept that if you are a young player from anywhere around the globe, and you want to launch an NBA career, coming and playing in the NBL is a great way to do that.

“It’s a great result, it just further strengthens the reputation of the program across the world."

Next Star draftees at a glance

Alex Sarr - pick 2, Washington Wizards

His name has been posted across the world, from Australia, to France, and to New York City on a billboard in Times Square.

“His image has been everywhere, you turn up to Barclays Center and it’s all over the arena, and you walk inside and he was very much front and centre,” Santamaria said from New York.

Santamaria further acknowledged the Wizards were the perfect match for Sarr, and the pieces fell into place in order for the seven-footer to further grow his capabilities in Washington.

“Whether he was pick one or pick two was decided by the lottery. If Washington had’ve had the number one pick, Alex Sarr would’ve been the first name called,” he said.

“In the long run, pick one sounds great, looks great, but what’s more important is at the top there is that you find a great fit. It’s better to go pick two to a great fit, than pick one to a bad fit where you can’t max it out over those first couple of years.

“He’s going to get plenty of opportunities to grow, continue to develop and tap into the enormous potential that he has.”

Making NBL history 👀

Alex Sarr has been selected as the #2 overall pick in the #NBADraft 🤝

The @NBLNextStars will be heading to the @WashWizards ✨ pic.twitter.com/lvYrdfGmxY

— NBL (@NBL) June 27, 2024

AJ Johnson - pick 23, Milwaukee Bucks

Former Illawarra Hawks Next Star, AJ Johnson, soared up the draft to get picked at number 23 by the Milwaukee Bucks, a moment he’ll never forget.

“He’s just dripping with potential, and upside, and talent. So athletic, so quick, can really handle the ball - shoots the heck out of it – improved enormously at the defensive end over the course of his time in the NBL,” Santamaria said.

Ready to work @aj_johnson04 🦌

🎥 @Bucks pic.twitter.com/zMgJ07Uday

— NBL (@NBL) June 27, 2024

Bobi Klintman - pick 37, Detroit Pistons

The Swedish sensation was the 37^th pick in round two of the draft to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but was reportedly traded to the Detroit Pistons, a team where Santamaria was sure Klintman would hopefully score a guaranteed contract.

“A rebuilding team who really need shooting. They picked up Ron Holland at the start of the draft which didn’t necessarily answer that question about their building roster,” he said.

“So if he can go in and knock down shots which is going to be a key component of what he needs to bring at the NBA level, I think he’s going to carve himself out some opportunities.

“My expectation is that that’s going to be a guaranteed contract, which means he’s going to get good opportunity over his first couple years in the league.”

Congrats @DetroitPistons, you've got a good one 😉 pic.twitter.com/NUpn146YZA

— NBL (@NBL) June 27, 2024

Ariel Hukporti - pick 58, New York Knicks

A dream that was once potentially out of reach when he tore his Achilles in the 2022 preseason, Hukporti’s maturity and resilience has now landed him on the New York Knicks. 

After playing in the NBL for three seasons as a Next Star, the 22-year-old was called at pick 58 to the Dallas Mavericks, and reportedly traded to the Knicks to play in the Big Apple.

“Big A is gonna be in the Big Apple,” Santamaria said.

“To recover from that (torn Achilles), and to watch his journey, such a lovable character…I’ve been telling NBA teams, he’s ready to go. To play backup center minutes in the NBA, from a physical standpoint, in terms of knowing exactly who he is and what he can do.

“They don’t have a lot of bigs on that roster, so a real opportunity for him.”

Drafted ✍️

After three-years as an @NBLNextStars, Ariel Hukporti has achieved a life-long goal, being selected as the #58th pick in the #NBADraft ✨

Hukporti’s draft rights have reportedly been traded to the @nyknicks 🤩 pic.twitter.com/dSru0muYeJ

— NBL (@NBL) June 27, 2024

Trentyn Flowers - undrafted, signed with LA Clippers

Although his name was not called in the draft, a phone call from the LA Clippers head office saw Flowers sign with the Clippers as an undrafted free agent.

“Super happy for him and his family to have the opportunity to get his foot in the door at the NBA level,” Santamaria said.

It's all love between @FlowersTrentyn and Adelaide ❤️ pic.twitter.com/79q981k0C2

— NBL (@NBL) June 28, 2024