The NBL Subsequent Stars program has added its newest rising expertise, with the New Zealand Breakers signing 17-year-old NBA prospect Karim López to a multi-year deal.
López isn’t draft eligible till 2026 however is already producing curiosity from quite a few NBA groups as a projected first-round choose and can solely additional carry his inventory enjoying within the NBL.
GM of Subsequent Stars Recruitment, Liam Santamaria, described it as a “large signing” for this system.
“We’re extremely excited to look at Karim progress within the NBL over the subsequent two years,” Santamaria stated.
“Karim is an extended, cell wing who possesses NBA-level positional dimension and a flexible skillset at each ends of the ground. He can defend a number of positions and impacts the sport together with his size, consciousness, and spectacular basketball instincts.
“Offensively, Karim is a clean operator who can deal with the rock, get above the rim, and knock it down from lengthy vary.
“The Breakers have a powerful historical past of growing Subsequent Stars and I’ve little doubt that is Karim’s finest path to maximising his potential as an NBA draft prospect.”
The 17-year-old wing arrives on the Breakers having already represented Mexico on the worldwide stage, enjoying within the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Match in Puerto Rico in July.
López was mentored by a few of Mexico’s extra skilled gamers on the event, scoring 12 factors to go along with three rebounds, two assists and two steals in a win over Côte d’Ivoire.
López, who has spent the final two seasons enjoying for Joventut Badalona in Spain, is at present in New York, collaborating within the Underneath Armour Subsequent Elite 24 occasion.
It comes after he made an enormous impression on the 2024 Adidas Subsequent Technology Match in Paris, being named to the All-Match Group after averaging 18 factors and 11 rebounds.
López is the sixth confirmed Subsequent Star for the 2024/25 season, becoming a member of Rocco Zikarsky (Brisbane Bullets), Alex Toohey (Sydney Kings), Roman Siulepa (Tasmania JackJumpers), Izan Almansa (Perth Wildcats) and Malique Lewis (South East Melbourne Phoenix).
The Breakers have had 4 Subsequent Stars be part of their workforce beforehand, with three of them (RJ Hampton, Ousmane Dieng and Rayan Rupert) being drafted to the NBA.
“Nurturing Karim to his potential goes to be an exhilarating challenge over the subsequent two years,” Breakers coach Petteri Koponen stated.
“I’ve seen him play many instances, and he’ll enhance and get higher each day, coaching alongside actual males and professionals on our roster.
“Being on this atmosphere each day competing in opposition to professionals within the NBL will take Karim to the subsequent degree, and that’s the easiest way for him to get higher.”