NBL GM of Next Stars Recruitment, Liam Santamaria, has explained why a potential change in the NBA CBA regarding draft eligibility is a “positive development” for the program. 

ESPN has reported the new CBA will do away with “automatic eligibility for high school or collegiate players who sign professional contracts with entities such as G League Ignite, Overtime Elite (OTE) or the Australian NBL”.

The report continued by stating, “in the past, players who signed with such entities would be automatically eligible for the subsequent NBA draft, regardless of whether they were interested in doing so or not, provided they were turning 19 in that calendar year”. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Very positive development for the <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL</a> Next Stars ? program. American prospects will no longer be restricted to one year as a Next Star. Increases flexibility and brings them in line with their international counterparts. Big win. <a href="https://t.co/hYsRKKMPBi">https://t.co/hYsRKKMPBi</a></p>&mdash; Liam Santamaria (@Liam_Santa) <a href="https://twitter.com/Liam_Santa/status/1648457215727271940?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The new rule will provide American Next Stars the option of spending multiple seasons developing in the NBL system before declaring for the NBA Draft, something Santamaria believes will benefit the program. 

“This change, if it comes to fruition, will be a very positive development for the Next Stars program,” Santamaria said. 

“Aussie and international prospects have always been able to sign as Next Stars and, if they desire, play multiple years here before declaring for the draft. This will allow young American prospects to do the same.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">??&#39;? ??? ???? ?<br><br>The <a href="https://twitter.com/illawarrahawks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@illawarrahawks</a> have added projected 2024 NBA lottery pick AJ Johnson as a Next Star for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL24?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL24</a> ? <a href="https://t.co/0NOopIoqB2">pic.twitter.com/0NOopIoqB2</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1646618798756364289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

American high school sensation AJ Johnson has joined the Illawarra Hawks as a Next Star this season and he is projected to be the 13th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. 

“The Next Stars program has become a proven pathway to the NBA,” Santamaria added.

“This change, if and when it is made official, will make it even more attractive to elite prospects coming out of the US high school system - guys who are looking for alternative options for development and growth towards the NBA Draft.”

Along with Johnson, other American Next Stars have previously included first round picks LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton, as well as draft-and-stash player Justinian Jessup.