THE HIGHLY anticipated 2025/26 National Basketball League (NBL) season is set to get underway tomorrow night, with another generation of young talent to be on display through the Next Stars program once again.

The Next Stars program is fresh off seeing a pair of Australians have their NBA dreams realised at the 2025 Draft, with Rocco Zikarsky heading to the Minnesota Timberwolves, while Alex Toohey joined the Golden State Warriors.

Both players were a part of the program for two years, and greatly benefited from their time as Next Stars, getting the chance to showcase and develop their craft against professional athletes, with the NBL becoming one of the most respected NBA Draft pathways in the world.

The beginning of the 2024/25 season will see another four players participate as Next Stars, all of whom have strong merit as draft prospects for the 2026 intake. Two of those players are returning for their second year in the competition, and are both expected to be heavily involved in draft conversations over the next nine months.

The other two players coming into the program have already proven themselves at international level, and have plenty of wraps coming into their campaign in the NBL, and there will be plenty of attention on their own performances throughout the season.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central has put each player under the microscope in recent weeks, giving you all you need to know about each player, what they bring to the table and the role they are set to play this season.

Over the coming months, all four players will be given significant playing time for their respective sides, and all four are a huge chance of being acquired by teams at the very top level when the next draft is held in June.

NBL Next Stars

Click on each player name to view the full preview

Karim Lopez – New Zealand Breakers

What We Said: ‘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.’

Malique Lewis – SEM Phoenix

What We Said: ‘There is no denying Lewis has the tools to make it at the top level, and he will be eager to show some improvement ahead of another chance for selection in the NBA Draft. If he can show improvement in his scoring production, it could elevate his draft chances and make him one to watch ahead of the 2026 intake.’

Noa Kouakou-Heugue – Perth Wildcats

What We Said: ‘Although still reasonably raw as a prospect, there is plenty of upside in Kouakou-Heugue’s game, and the Next Stars program could be the perfect platform to take his draft stock to another level. If he can cement his place in the frontcourt, expect the Frenchman to soar up the draft boards over the next 12 months.’

Dash Daniels – Melbourne United

What We Said: ‘The premier Australian talent in the 2026 NBA Draft class, Daniels looks locked and loaded to follow in his brother’s footsteps as a top-10 selection, and playing on one of the most successful NBL teams of the modern era could instil some winning DNA in the guard’s game for years to come.’