Basketball · International
Breakers prospect Karim Lopez declares for NBA Draft
The Mexican forward enters the draft after two seasons in the NBL Next Stars programme.
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Karim Lopez declared for the 2026 NBA Draft after two seasons with New Zealand Breakers. The Mexican teenager developed through the NBL Next Stars programme, became the league's youngest player to record a double-double and helped the Breakers win the inaugural Ignite Cup.
In NBL26, Lopez averaged 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals and one block per game. He shot forty-nine per cent from the field and scored 358 points across thirty starts, setting a mark for draft-eligible Next Stars.
Lopez described professional basketball against experienced adult opponents as valuable preparation. The next stages included the draft combine in Chicago and the June selection process, following a programme that had already produced lottery picks including LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey and Alex Sarr.
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