ROUND 8 of the 2024/25 National Basketball League (NBL) season saw some Next Stars get some increased responsibility for their respective sides over the course of the weekend.

With seven games taking place over the span of Thursday and Sunday, the teams were back in action with some cracking upsets produced over the weekend. The ladder is as tight as ever, and the next generation of stars are consistently standing out in big games.

With just five Next Stars suiting up for the 2024/25 season, there will be plenty of attention on each and every player within the program over the coming months, and how they perform on a weekly basis.

Despite not all players being draft eligible this year, all five participants will be looking to use every match to boost their output and continue their quest to make the NBA.

Rookie Me Central will be posting weekly updates on how all five Next Stars perform week in week out, and how their performances are impacting their draft stocks.

Karim Lopez – New Zealand Breakers

After a consistent run of standout performances in recent weeks, Lopez’s hot run came to an end as his side was convincingly bested by the Tasmania JackJumpers at MyState Bank Arena on Saturday evening. Lopez posted eight points on 3/7 shooting from the field to go with seven rebounds in a solid performance, but it was below his recent standards. However, he did still display his skillset with an exciting putback dunk that ignited his team early in the match.

Rocco Zikarsky – Brisbane Bullets

Zikarsky’s Bullets fell to Melbourne United at Nissan Arena in the first game of the round on Thursday night, but the big man was given more court time than recent weeks. The projected lottery pick in the 2025 NBA Draft played 12 minutes in the loss to Melbourne, and did enough to justify a consistent increase in opportunity. He delivered five points (2/5 FG), four rebounds, two steals and a block, and looked comfortable on the floor with his positioning and physicality in the paint. Brisbane’s Next Star should see more playing time in the coming weeks as he looks to build momentum.

Alex Toohey – Sydney Kings

Arguably the most consistent of the Next Stars so far this season, Toohey delivered one of his quietest performances in the tight win over the Phoenix. He conjured just six points, three rebounds and one assist, and was not his usual productive self. The Kings turned the ball over 17 times in the match, and Toohey and his teammates did not get the same scoring opportunities as usual. He still did enough to keep his spot in the starting lineup and should bounce back in Round 9.

Malique Lewis – SEM Phoenix

Lewis was solid again for the Phoenix, playing his role within the starting lineup while not demanding too much of the ball. He scored seven points in both of his outings for South East Melbourne, while also being a serious presence on the glass. Lewis snatched down 12 rebounds across two games and is excellent at flying in third man up while the bigs jostle for position. He will need to be mindful of his discipline on the defensive end, given he fouled out against the Kings, costing himself valuable court time.

Izan Almansa – Perth Wildcats

The best performer of the round was saved for last, with Almansa delivering a breakout performance in the second of Perth’s two matches for the weekend. He was solid in the win over the JackJumpers on Thursday night, producing seven points and three rebounds off the bench.

However, he was elevated into the starting lineup for the clash against United, and rewarded the coaching staff for their faith in him. Almansa was one of Perth’s best in a tough loss, producing 19 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in a statement showing. It was the sort of performance that catches the eye of scouts in the NBA, and could be the start of a strong patch of form.