The NBL has lengthy been a league combating for international relevance in a crowded worldwide basketball panorama. With so many high-quality competitions and elite pathways around the globe, the league wanted an revolutionary level of distinction – and it discovered it with the NBL Subsequent Stars program.
“It’s given the league a brand new degree of relevance, significantly to the U.S. viewers,” distinguished Australian basketball scout and analyst Michael Houben says.
Launched forward of the 2018/19 season, the Subsequent Stars program was designed to supply a fast-tracked growth pathway with specialised coaching, true skilled publicity and assured alternative.
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Its design is easy: herald elite younger prospects, give them the absolute best surroundings to develop, and guarantee they play significant minutes. Not each group has taken on a Subsequent Star each season, however nearly all have participated sooner or later.
The inaugural 12 months delivered one official Subsequent Star, Brian Bowen II. The second 12 months modified the whole lot.
With LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton arriving in 12 months two, this system exploded. They weren’t simply high-profile signings – they had been two of the largest names in American highschool basketball.
Ball went from an unranked prospect to the No.3 decide within the 2020 NBA Draft. Hampton adopted at No. 24. In a single day, the NBL had confirmed it may produce NBA expertise – and the remainder of the world observed.
Since its inception 14 out of the 21 Subsequent Stars gamers have been drafted, and an additional two signed to NBA groups put up the NBA Draft. Josh Giddey, Alex Sarr and most just lately Alex Toohey are among the many names to have profitable used it as a launchpad.
“I’m actually proud that this system continues to be a singular groundbreaking confirmed pathway to the NBA,” Subsequent Stars GM of Recruitment Liam Santamaria informed Fox Sports activities Australia.
“It’s about discovering the suitable participant that’s an awesome match for the roster, the fashion of play, that coach, the entire surroundings that that particular person membership might need.”
The success of this system, nonetheless, has invited competitors.
“There have been various things around the globe, the introduction of G League Ignite, the altering faculty panorama, adjustments to a number of the professional setups in Europe and elsewhere which have at all times sort of induced completely different challenges or aggressive environments for this system,” Santamaria mentioned.
‘COMPETING THREATS’ OVERCOME
G League Ignite was essentially the most direct competitor – a near-identical mannequin launched in 2020 to drag prime American prospects into the NBA system early. It was finally shut down after 4 seasons, but it surely represented a significant risk.
The rise of Title, Picture, and Likeness (NIL) cash has additionally made faculty extra enticing than ever, providing fast monetary incentive to remain within the U.S.
Regardless of all this, the Subsequent Stars program has not solely survived – it has continued to thrive.
“The truth that they’ve been in a position to preserve it throughout the years that they’ve and get the expertise that they’ve had by the doorways has been extremely thrilling,” Houben mentioned.
“Even the truth that now, regardless of the entire competing threats to the Subsequent Stars program, the truth that they’ve doubtlessly two lottery picks… speaks volumes to this system.
Throughout six seasons, 26 gamers have come by this system – and 14 have been drafted.
This system has shifted strategically through the years. Initially, the main focus was American high-school stars. Later, the league pivoted to elite European prospects. Now, the following section is rising: a return to native expertise.
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“I’d by no means get too hung up on the variety of Subsequent Stars that we’ve in any given 12 months. I’m actually simply searching for gamers which might be nice suits for this system,” Santamaria mentioned.
Within the NBL26 class, that pivot is evident. On this 12 months’s class the group is headlined by Mexican prodigy Karim Lopez and thrilling Australian guard Sprint Daniels.
“It does really feel like essentially the most newest pivot that we’re seeing is again in direction of native expertise,” Houben says. “It’s very lucky for us that there occurs to be a heck of quite a lot of elite-level, doubtlessly NBA-level expertise coming by from Australia and New Zealand.”
It’s a logical step. The NBL is the strongest it has ever been, with rising relationships in Europe and the NBLxNBA preseason video games – performed on Australian soil for the primary time. For a league constructed throughout Australia and New Zealand, investing in homegrown stars is important.
With 4 Subsequent Stars this season – Karim Lopez, Sprint Daniels, Malique Lewis and Noa Kouakou-Heugue – each Santamaria and Houben imagine the thrill is solely justified. The category brings a mixture of high-end NBA potential and numerous worldwide backgrounds, persevering with this system’s custom of innovation.
This subsequent wave symbolises precisely what the Subsequent Stars program has change into: a world pathway that continues to evolve, develop and place the NBL as a authentic world-class growth league.
So how is the NBL26 class shaping up within the lead-up to the NBA Draft? Let’s have a look:
KARIM LOPEZ: THE MEXICAN PRODIGY
Karim Lopez enters his second 12 months as a Subsequent Star with real optimism, pleasure and a transparent understanding of the areas he wanted to enhance. After a rookie marketing campaign averaging 9.6 factors, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 45% from the sphere and 30% from three, Lopez has lifted his manufacturing throughout the board by 15 video games this season.
Santamaria mentioned there was one space of focus – and Lopez has delivered.
“I feel the largest leap he’s taken is clearly in his three-point taking pictures, which is big for him shifting ahead in direction of the draft initially after which his NBA profession,” Santamaria acknowledged.
“He’s jumped from a 31% three-point shooter to 40% proper now at this level within the 12 months.”
That enchancment has modified the whole lot. Lopez’s makes an attempt from deep have risen solely marginally – 2.6 to three.1 per sport – however he’s already only one made three shy of final 12 months’s whole, achieved over 25 video games. The effectivity mixed with confidence is proving to be a significant addition to his offensive profile.
Houben agreed when it got here to Lopez’s evolution.
“This second 12 months, I feel we’ve seen just a few very key enhancements, that are serving to consolidate his expertise into somebody who can really step on an NBA flooring subsequent 12 months and actually make an influence,” Houbon acknowledged.
“His key classes are his physicality, his rebounding, and particularly his potential to shoot the three ball as a result of that’s one thing that he struggled with somewhat bit final 12 months.”
Defensively, Lopez has additionally taken significant steps ahead. His potential to protect on the perimeter whereas nonetheless being a succesful inside defender has caught the eye of NBA scouts. When mixed together with his elite athleticism – and the ceiling nonetheless left to unlock – he suits the mould of a contemporary NBA frontcourt weapon.
“He’s the right trendy archetype for an NBA prospect. He’s lengthy, he’s extraordinarily versatile, and he can defend the rim and the perimeter in equal measure,” Houbon explains.
What makes his robust begin much more spectacular is the adversity he confronted early. Lopez handled a again damage all through preseason and into the opening weeks of NBL26, but his kind has continued to rise.
“I like the truth that, with every passing sport, he appears to be shifting higher and extra freely,” Santamaria mentioned.
It’s an indication of maturity – the power to handle ache, play by discomfort and nonetheless produce. For NBA groups assessing an 82-game season, that issues.
Draft projections differ. Some mock drafts have Lopez inside the highest 10, others within the late lottery and even outdoors the primary spherical. However the consensus amongst these watching intently is evident: his expertise is lottery calibre.
“I feel Karim would be the first Subsequent Star off the board. Simply the mix of dimension and athleticism appears like a safer guess,” Houbon relayed.
“In the end, I feel over the remainder of this season, you would possibly see mock drafts which have him right here or there. I see him as a lottery man, he has the potential to land in that prime 10 on the finish of the day,” Santamaria mentioned.
Lopez affords the mix NBA groups covet – expertise, defensive versatility, improved offensive output and room for much more progress. Whereas entrance workplaces typically search for one “elite” talent when drafting excessive, Houbon summed up the enchantment completely:
“I feel there are only a few limitations in Karim’s sport. And that’s a part of the enchantment.”
DASH DANIELS: THE SURPRISE PACKAGE
At simply 17 years of age, Daniels has been even higher than marketed. His begin to the season has caught a lot off guard together with his high-level play, constant minutes and fast influence on a championship-contending Melbourne United. Houbon admitted, “I didn’t suppose that Sprint was able to contribute greater than possibly 5 or ten minutes per sport this season at 17 years previous.”
Daniels is at the moment averaging 16 minutes per sport together with 5.8 factors, three rebounds, 1.1 assists and slightly below one steal. Santamaria famous, “Coming into the season, there was quite a lot of hype round him. And a few of it comes off the again of his brother and seeing what he’s been in a position to produce as properly however I’ve been somewhat stunned. He has exceeded my expectations.”
What stands out most about Daniels is his defensive potential – his instinctive rotations in zone schemes and his capability to lock down a number of the league’s greatest gamers in one-on-one conditions.
“Essentially the most spectacular factor to me about Sprint… he’s defending very often the opposite group’s greatest participant at 17,” Houbon mentioned.
In line with SpatialJam, Daniels at the moment ranks because the Sixteenth-best participant within the NBL in defensive score. This can be a credit score not solely to his tenacity and pure defensive expertise but in addition to the construction and system overseen by Melbourne United head coach Dean Vickerman.
“I feel Melbourne has been within the good scenario for him and it’s unlocked his potential to contribute immediately,” Houbon added.
“Dean Vickerman is already inserting him in key moments in fourth quarters and crunch time for what he brings, particularly on the defensive finish,” Santamaria echoed.
Offensively, Daniels has additionally been dependable in his rookie marketing campaign, taking pictures 43% from the sphere and 34% from three. Most of his factors have are available in transition or from spot-up nook makes an attempt, however he has additionally proven flashes of on-ball creation when alternatives come up.
“The truth that he’s been put in positions to assault is making his offensive sport look quite a bit higher. You’ll be able to see that he’s not afraid to take photographs and he’s not afraid to drive in and bump a man at 17 years of age,” Houbon acknowledged.
“He’s taking pictures 36% from three, which is de facto spectacular for a man that’s nonetheless engaged on that stroke and constructing his confidence in that talent,” Santamaria mentioned.
Curiously, Daniels was a major ball-handler and scorer at junior degree. His potential to adapt – flourishing as an off-ball guard, defending at a excessive degree, creating when wanted and pulling down open photographs – has additional highlighted his long-term upside.
It’s clear Daniels is monitoring towards being a high-level participant in each the NBL and the NBA. His robust defensive basis has positioned him extremely on draft boards, and when discussing an NBA comparability, one title stood out for Houbon.
“Sprint suits the mould of a utility guard that has secondary ball dealing with duties and might defend at a excessive degree any perimeter place.
The most effective case final result is sort of a Jrue Vacation. Now, whether or not he’s going to achieve these heights, it’s exhausting to say,” Houbon introduced.
Santamaria added, “it’s a giant brilliant future and he’s off to an awesome begin as a Subsequent Star.”
With an extended season forward and a real probability to play significant minutes deep into Melbourne United’s championship push, Daniels’ work is barely simply starting. He’s monitoring towards being a excessive draft decide within the 2026 NBA Draft – and there’s a purpose so many NBA scouts are already enthusiastic about simply how far he can go.
NOA KOUAKOU-HEUGUE: WHAT’S THE PLAN?
Noa Kouakou-Heugue’s begin to the NBL Subsequent Stars program has been one of many extra intriguing storylines of the NBL26 season. The 18-year-old, 6’10 French ahead has proven flashes of power, athleticism and promise in his restricted court docket time for the Perth Wildcats. Via 5 video games, Kouakou-Heugue is averaging three factors and 1.8 rebounds on a formidable 66% from the sphere, logging simply over half-hour whole.
From the transient pattern dimension, it’s clear he profiles as an athletic, cell huge – somebody who can maintain his personal defensively inside, use his footwork within the put up and generate scoring alternatives with agility and size. These flashes have caught the eye of each Houbon and Santamaria.
Houbon acknowledged, “we noticed flashes of the talent set there, his potential to complete above the rim, the size and the mobility.”
He adopted it with a blunt however correct evaluation: “Noa is uncooked and there’s no method round it.”
Santamaria additionally shared his early impressions:
“I’ve been tremendous impressed with Noa’s potential to reap the benefits of the alternatives that he’s given.
“In comparison with the opposite three subsequent stars on this specific class, he hasn’t actually had the chance as of but constantly to indicate us sort of what participant he’s. However the glimpses and the moments that we’ve seen of him, he seems to be like he’s a particular prospect as properly.”
These feedback paint the image clearly: Kouakou-Heugue is a younger prospect with important uncooked expertise and an extended developmental runway. His performances towards the Illawarra Hawks and Cairns Taipans provide a window into his potential.
In eight minutes towards Illawarra, he completed with seven factors and three rebounds whereas matched up at occasions with JaVale McGee. In opposition to Cairns, he performed 16 minutes in a blowout win, contributing eight factors, 4 rebounds and a +22 in his time on court docket.
Shortly after these outings, studies surfaced that Kouakou-Heugue was exploring an exit from the Subsequent Stars program in the hunt for extra constant minutes to spice up his draft inventory. In the end, an settlement was reached for him to stay with the Wildcats for the season.
“There was somewhat little bit of frustration from him and his camp about these on-court alternatives to start the season. We’ve been in a position to work by these conversations with him, the Wildcats, his agent and all people,” Santamaria mentioned.
“Typically as a younger participant or as a man not taking part in quite a lot of minutes in any specific circumstance, you’ve simply obtained to remain prepared and then you definitely’ve obtained to reap the benefits of your alternatives,” Santamaria added.
Houbon mentioned it was clear Perth coach John Rillie was “going to make everybody earn their minutes,” even younger expertise.
”It was evident that he wasn’t able to constantly produce but to a group that has had a lot strain on them this season particularly,” Houbon mentioned.
“I’d hope that Noa is having the ability to keep affected person and discover his position in time, there completely is a job for him long-term on this group.
With Kouakou-Heugue now reintegrated into the rotation, incomes these minutes turns into the following step. Santamaria mentioned, “Now he’s again with the group, locked and loaded of their lively lineup, I’m excited to see what that appears like for him over the course of the remainder of the season.
“He’s a brilliant excessive character, nice particular person, a terrific man to be round, has an actual team-first mentality and has a brilliant excessive work ethic.”
These qualities are foundational for any younger prospect attempting to climb the ladder.
As for his NBA future, the timeline stays unsure. Whereas there’s a risk of getting into the upcoming draft, many imagine one other season within the NBL may function a invaluable springboard into the 2027 class. Houbon agrees, stating, “he may positively be in competition for subsequent 12 months’s NBA draft.”
MALIQUE LEWIS: THE NBL’S DRAYMOND GREEN?
Like Lopez, Malique Lewis is now in his second 12 months of the Subsequent Stars program. After withdrawing from final 12 months’s NBA Draft, he returned to the NBL to take the following step in his growth with hopes of listening to his title referred to as in 2026. This season has delivered enhancements throughout the board – offensively and defensively – as Lewis continues to refine the modern-forward talent set that makes him so intriguing.
Final season, throughout 34 video games, Lewis averaged 6.8 factors, 4.1 rebounds and one help whereas taking pictures 42% from the sphere and 31% from three. This 12 months, his numbers have risen to 7.6 factors, 5.1 rebounds and a couple of.2 assists, whereas his three-point quantity and confidence have taken a noticeable leap.
One facet particularly has caught the eye of observers all through the league.
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Houbon acknowledged, “The large one for me is the taking pictures. He’s taking much more threes than he did final season, and he’s taking pictures it at a a lot better clip.”
Santamaria echoed the sentiment, saying, “I like the truth that he’s taking pictures the ball with confidence and, , getting an entire bunch extra makes an attempt up this 12 months than he did final season.”
Santamaria added, “he’s going to be a 3 and D kind position participant within the NBA. He’s come out and he’s taking pictures 40% from three on the 12 months.”
Whereas his offensive progress is encouraging – significantly his improved perimeter taking pictures – his calling card stays his defence. Lewis is routinely tasked with guarding the opposition’s greatest participant, taking over all kinds of matchups throughout a number of positions.
“He’s such a flexible defender. Josh King has discovered him so helpful in varied completely different lineups, guarding varied completely different gamers,” Santamaria mentioned.
“one second he’s guarding Kendric Davis, Bryce Cotton or one of many elite ball handlers within the competitors. After which the following minute you see him switched on or was Zylan Cheatham or Xavier Cooks.”
Trying forward, this defensive versatility is the very trait Houbon believes can translate to the following degree.
“We all know he’s a defensive man that may compete on the NBA degree on that finish of the ground,” Houbon added.
Lewis is at the moment not projected to be selecte
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d within the 2026 NBA Draft, which is shaping as one of many deepest lately. Nonetheless, perception stays that he has an actual probability to carve out an NBA future. His potential to thrive in structured techniques, play a number of roles and contribute to profitable basketball has been essential to South East Melbourne Phoenix sitting third on the ladder on the FIBA break.
Santamaria highlighted that influence, stating, “I do suppose that he’s somewhat underrated by way of the NBL group and the way a lot of a huge impact he’s having for among the finest groups within the league.”
A powerful indicator of that influence is plus-minus – Lewis at the moment holds the third-best mark within the league at +8.2, reflecting his optimistic affect at any time when he steps onto the ground.
In fact, questions nonetheless stay on the NBA degree, totally on the offensive finish. Houbon defined, “what will scare groups off is, does he have sufficient offensive juice to be an NBA participant?”
Even so, Lewis has a number of traits working in his favour. His defensive ceiling, bodily instruments and continued offensive progress make him a participant NBA groups will monitor intently.
“Sensible NBA groups are taking a look at him and saying, with that 7’1 wingspan at 6’8”, he’s so robust and so cell on the defensive finish,” Santamaria mentioned.
Lewis could also be combating an uphill battle to be drafted, however the path to the NBA is way from linear. His defensive prowess, his clear growth, and his potential to contribute meaningfully to a contender provide a powerful basis. Whether or not it’s through the draft or one other route, the instruments are there for Lewis to finally crack the NBA – and his progress this season exhibits he’s trending in the suitable route.