About

Stars

About

Stars

The Next Stars program is an innovative player development program that is unique to the Australian NBl.

The Next Stars program has been running in an official capacity since the 2018-19 season. In 20265, the NBL had two players selected at the NBA Draft, Karim Lopez (pick 21) and Malique Lewis (pick 60).

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A PROVEN Pathway to the NBA

Team Recruitment

The NBL works with each player to pair them with the team best suited to their skillset, maximising their NBL time.

Specialist Training

Each player will have the opportunity to work with elite coaches to best help hone their skillset.

Track Record

The NBL Next Stars program has a proven track record in helping young players make it to the NBA.

Exposure

The NBL provides strong visibility back to the US. Both in building the players and being exposed to coaches and scouts.

Dedicated Housing

Players are given the best opportunity to focus 100% of their efforts on their game, not having to worry about accommodation.

Perfect Timing

Play 28+ games in the beautiful Australian summer, then be able to make it back to the US for draft workouts.

With 2 players signed, the 2027 Next stars are already making their presence felt.

The Next Stars program is an innovative player development pathway unique to the NBL, in which some of the top NBA Draft eligible talent from across the globe can fast-track their on-court development in order to reach the NBA.
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Last year, Karim Lopez capped a two year stint with the New Zealand Breakers by being selected 21st overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, later moving to the Memphis Grizzlies, becoming the highest-scoring draft eligible Next Star in program history along the way.

Days later, South East Melbourne Phoenix product Malique Lewis became the 13th Next Star drafted directly to the NBA, taken with pick 60 by the Washington Wizards before his rights were traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.

For NBL27, the program continues to prove its worth as a genuine pathway to the NBA.

Now the spotlight turns to the next wave: Dash Daniels, younger brother of Atlanta Hawks defensive star Dyson Daniels, opted to withdraw from the 2026 Draft to return to Melbourne United for a second Next Stars season, aiming to build on a standout rookie campaign.

Joining him is Luke Paul, who signed with the Cairns Taipans as the youngest player ever to join the program at just 16 years of age. The program has been running in an official capacity since the 2018-19 season, with the likes of Josh Giddey and LaMelo Ball among the stars to have graduated as Next Stars.

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