2025/26 NBL Next Star season review – Noa Koakou-Hengue
IT WAS a season of limited opportunity for National Basketball League (NBL) Next Star Noa Kouakou-Heugue during his first campaign in the program, with the youngster not hitting the court often for the Perth Wildcats. Following in the footsteps of one of the biggest Next Star success stories in fellow Frenchman Alexandre Sarr, Kouakou-Hengue signed […]
2025/26 NBL Next Star season review – Karim Lopez
IT WAS a successful end to Karim Lopez‘s time as a National Basketball League (NBL) Next Star, wrapping up his stint with the New Zealand Breakers in style to improve his draft stock even further after a two-year career with the team. Lopez joined the Breakers last season, and immediately made an impression with his […]
Lopez lights up Spark Arena in win over United
LIKELY 2026 NBA Draft lottery selection Karim Lopez impressed in front of scouts in the National Basketball League (NBL) on Friday night, steering his New Zealand Breakers to a two-point win over Melbourne United. Lopez is gunning for the 2026 NBA intake, having impressed during his stint in the Next Stars program, approaching the end […]
Paul signs as Next Star in huge coup
ONE OF the best Australian basketball prospects of the 2020s has affirmed his love for his home country, with Luke Paul joining the National Basketball League (NBL) Next Stars program as his pathway to the top level. Paul is a highly regarded young talent, and at just 16 years of age, still has plenty of […]
Lopez lights it up against JackJumpers
IT WAS yet another strong showing from NBL Next Star and NBA Draft prospect Karim Lopez, who was again among the top performers as his New Zealand Breakers defeated the Tasmania JackJumpers over the weekend. The Next Star has been in excellent form this season, showing why he is considered to be a lottery selection […]
Lopez lights it up as Breakers beat Bullets
IT WAS another step in the right direction for National Basketball League (NBL) Next Star and NBA Draft hopeful Karim Lopez, who was among the best for the New Zealand Breakers as they defeated the Brisbane Bullets. Lopez joined the NBL last year, and was still one of the standouts despite being a year away […]
Delightful Dash delivers big moments despite loss
ALTHOUGH Melbourne United‘s 10-game winning streak came to an end in the National Basketball League (NBL) on Monday night at the hands of the Sydney Kings, Next Star Dash Daniels was still able to put forth a strong showing. Daniels has been playing significant minutes for United in his draft year, with Dean Vickerman showing […]
NBL Next Star Watch – Round 6
This year’s talented class of Next Stars have begun to find their way into rotations, with the most recent being Dash Daniels and Noa Kouakou-Heugue pushing their way into a bench role, and Karim Lopez and Malique Lewis continuing their solid play for their respective teams. Noa Kouakou-Heugue – Perth Wildcats 18-year-old French talent Kouakou-Heugue […]
Kouakou-Heugue makes his mark in blowout win
AFTER biding his time off the bench over the first month of the season, National Basketball League (NBL) Next Star Noa Kouakou-Heugue was able to show off his craft as his Perth Wildcats delivered a thumping win over the Cairns Taipans. Kouakou-Heugue joined the Wildcats over the offseason, following in the footsteps of fellow French […]
Lewis wins battle of the Next Stars in Sunday encounter
SUNDAY’S action in the National Basketball League (NBL) saw the SEM Phoenix defeat the New Zealand Breakers by six points when the two sides locked horns at Spark Arena, with two Next Stars going head to head. It was a crucial battle for both teams, but for different reasons, with the Breakers looking to move […]
