Karim Lopez, a top-20 recruit within the 2025 class and the No. 1 worldwide recruit within the 2026 NBA Draft, is headed to the New Zealand Breakers as part of the NBL’s Subsequent Stars, he introduced on Friday.
Lopez, a 6’8”, 195-pound wing, is taken into account the “future face of Mexican basketball and a possible lottery choose” by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, as his general set of traits makes him an interesting prospect within the 2026 draft.
Extra importantly, Lopez is simply 17 years outdated and is now anticipated to play the following two seasons within the NBL earlier than being eligible for the 2026 NBA Draft.
What led the wing to decide on the skilled route over potential school choices? We had an opportunity to speak to Lopez at Below Armour’s Subsequent Elite 24 occasion in Brooklyn.
Behind the choice
“I’m actually excited to go there,” Lopez shared. “It was a tricky resolution between a whole lot of locations, a whole lot of completely different applications. However I imply, I really feel like that’s the most effective resolution for me as a result of it’s an important place. The [NBL’s] subsequent stars program seems to be nice and it’s been confirmed already with the No. 2 choose [Alex Sarr].”
The Subsequent Stars program has been a staple over the previous few seasons, with various prime highschool recruits electing to go the skilled route over school in hopes of higher getting ready for the NBA.
Lopez referred to Alex Sarr, who was a prime worldwide prospect final yr and finally selected to hitch the Perth Wildcats as part of the NBL’s Subsequent Stars program. From there, he developed and cemented himself as a top-three choose within the 2024 NBA Draft, going No. 2 to the Washington Wizards this offseason.
Along with Sarr, the Subsequent Stars program had two different gamers drafted this previous offseason as AJ Johnson went No. 23 general to the Milwaukee Bucks, whereas Bobi Klitman went No. 37 to the Detroit Pistons.
Previous to this yr, the Subsequent Stars program has additionally hosted the likes of LaMelo Ball, who went No. 3 general within the 2020 NBA Draft and Josh Giddey, who went No. 6 within the 2021 NBA Draft.
What Lopez brings to the courtroom
Heading to New Zealand, Lopez brings an intriguing skillset with him, because the 6’8” wing has playmaking skill with good ball-handling abilities, whereas possessing versatility and powerful two-way capabilities together with his athleticism.
He might be extra assertive at occasions, possessing general really feel for the sport, however his skill to deal with the basketball, matched together with his spectacular capturing at that dimension makes for a excessive potential participant sooner or later.
Defensively, Lopez is flexible as nicely, as his lengthy body and athleticism permits him to play larger than his dimension might point out and he can defend in opposition to guards as nicely.
Karim Lopez will spend the following two years within the NBL with the New Zealand Breakers. The 6’8, 17-year outdated Mexican wing is a gifted ball-handler and passer who exhibits versatility as a shot-maker and defender with glorious basketball instincts and competitiveness on each ends. https://t.co/NZDdUHtmJt pic.twitter.com/crQC3kJJvo
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) August 9, 2024
Enjoying in opposition to some excessive competitors on the Below Armour’s Subsequent Elite 24 this weekend, Lopez’s versatility was seen, as he noticed minutes in additional of a ahead/middle function, getting used as a curler within the pick-and-roll, whereas inserting himself at each ends the place he was wanted.
“Versatility [is big for me],” Lopez mentioned. “The coach requested me to play the 5 [and] to play the 4. I used to be a 5 on the finish, so, I mentioned ‘okay, I’ll do it.’ And I feel I made profitable performs. It feels nice to indicate my versatility to all these scouts.”
Moreover, on the defensive finish, the wing was tasked with guarding ball-handlers, holding his floor in opposition to among the prime guards in attendance, whereas making performs on the rim as nicely, recording a pleasant block after recovering nicely. On Friday in the course of the scrimmages on the Below Armour’s Elite 24, Lopez’s “Workforce Ice” got here out the winners in a aggressive setting.
“I used to be simply attempting to show I could make profitable performs on a regular basis,” Lopez mentioned. “I can play profitable basketball. That’s it, man. We obtained the win.”
Furthermore, Lopez has been praised for his instinctual efforts and motor on each ends of the courtroom, which ought to slot in shortly into knowledgeable capability with the New Zealand Breakers.
However, the Mexico native is aware of that he should show himself at that stage first, and is raring to win minutes together with his new crew.
“I need to win minutes on the courtroom. Nothing’s given,” Lopez mentioned. “I need to make profitable performs as a result of that’s what coaches like and in addition be extra mature in my sport. I already performed within the Olympic qualifiers, so I really feel prepared for that [professional environment].”
Representing his nation
Lopez presently performs for Membership Joventut Badalona in Barcelona, however is a local of Mexico Metropolis and has represented his nation within the FIBA Championships with the U16 crew, in addition to within the Olympic Qualifiers.
In 2023, on the FIBA U16 Americas Championship, Lopez shined, averaging 20.5 factors and 12.2 rebounds in six contests.
That adopted his efficiency in 2022 on the Centrobasket U15 Championship, the place he averaged 15.2 factors and 9.8 rebounds in 5 video games for the nationwide crew.
Being touted the longer term face of Mexican basketball, the 6’8” wing is extremely regarded in his nation and carries that with pleasure.
“I at all times symbolize Mexico,” Lopez mentioned. “For me it’s a distinct feeling as a result of I’m representing the entire 120 million individuals. So I really feel prefer it’s stress however it’s stress.”
Now, he has the possibility to proceed that legacy at his subsequent cease in New Zealand as part of the Subsequent Stars program, with the NBA Draft nicely inside attain for the gifted prospect.
