ONE OF the strongest performing players in the program last season, Karim Lopez is entering his second campaign as an NBL Next Star, having already firmed as a top 10 fancy for the 2026 NBA Draft on the back of his efforts.

The New Zealand Breakers were thrilled with the level of output and upside demonstrated by Lopez during their NBL campaign last season, with Lopez garnering international attention for his ability to make an impact in a professional setting.

Having entered the NBL as a highly regarded prospect, Lopez did not do his NBA stock any harm with a strong outing in New Zealand, cementing his place inside the starting lineup despite being just 17 years of age.

Now, with another year of development under his belt and a better overall feel for life in the NBL, Lopez will be eager to take his game to the next level and remain inside the top 10 prospects for next year’s intake at the top level.

Karim Lopez – New Zealand Breakers

12/04/2007 | 206cm | 88kg
Forward

Lopez came into the NBL with plenty of expectations on his shoulders, and managed to deliver in a big way, eventually making his way into the starting five of the Breakers over the course of the fixture and slotting next to the team’s big guns nicely.

With a strong level of production on both ends of the floor, Lopez has immense upside as an NBA prospect, forming as an ideal wing for the top level in terms of fit for the modern game, and has an adaptable playstyle that can work for any team.

Offensively, he has a knack for getting to his spots and knocking down jumpshots, showing a strong handle for his size and position. Lopez is a tremendously smooth mover, and can evade defensive structures with ease. Although he does not have the most explosive speed, he can still get away from the defence consistently.

The Next Star is masterful at getting downhill and finishing at the cup, using his height and wingspan to finish at the cup with either acrobatic layups or team-lifting dunks. This skill will only develop as his experience grows, and he could produce even more highlights moving forward.

On the defensive end, Lopez has the versatility to guard multiple positions, which is a vital skill in the modern game of switching and screen-setting. He has the instincts to cause turnovers, while he plays above his height in terms of rim protection, able to meet the ball at the basket and record impressive blocks.

In terms of improvements, Lopez did cough up a fair chunk of court time by getting into foul trouble a lot of the time, so the youngster could do with a bit more craft when guarding on the defensive end. If he can stay on the court as much as possible, it will maximise his production and certainly be a positive to the NBA scouts.

Lopez has already had a strong start to his NBL career as a Next Star, and will be eager to build on his first-up campaign and cement himself as one of the best prospects in the 2026 NBA Draft Class.