Karim Lopez’s two seasons in the Hungry Jack’s NBL are as strong as any of the highly talented players to progress through the Next Stars program.

Across his two seasons with the New Zealand Breakers, the Mexican talent increased his skills and stats across the board.

He averaged an impressive 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1 block per game across the 2025-26 season, while shooting 49 per cent from the field and committing just 1.5 turnovers per game.

The now 19-year-old also helped the Breakers win the first-ever NBL Ignite Cup, defeating Adelaide in the Final.

Upon reflecting on his two seasons with the Breakers, during the Next Stars documentary episode ‘Next Stop, NBA’, Lopez explained why these two seasons have perfectly prepared him to achieve his dream of the NBA.

“When I came here, I was 17, and this program has allowed me to become a better player and constantly grow my game,” Lopez said.

“The team welcomed me with open hands and believed in me since day one, which I’m very grateful for. They gave this kid an opportunity to showcase his talents.

“I’m really happy and blessed to have been a part of this, as it showed me how [professionals] carry themselves each day.

“[The Next Stars program] is a great experience for any young kid that's trying to just pursue his dream.

“I wouldn't change anything, it's been great, and it is [an experience] that I’m going to carry with me for the rest of my life.”

It wasn’t just the Breakers who had an impact on the exciting young gun, with New Zealand star Parker Jackson-Cartwright explaining that Lopez was a great asset to their franchise.

"To be his teammate has been great. He's been a joy to have in the locker room and to play alongside,” Jackson-Cartwright said. 

"He's been a breath of fresh air. When you're a professional basketball player, playing with older, grown men, it's rare to have a kid in this environment bring his own personality, be fun loving the way he is, [while also having] a great work ethic.”

It’s that talent and work ethic that has Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor projecting Lopez as the 12th pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

During a recent interview on The Kevin O’Connor Show, Lopez said he believes his 'best is yet to come’.

In the lead-up to the NBA Draft, which will be held in Brooklyn on June 23 and 24, Lopez has drawn comparisons to a Hall of Famer, with ESPN’s Marc J. Spears last month saying that he has “Scottie Pippen kind of things to him".

The Next Stars program has seen six players drafted in the first round across the last six NBA drafts, including LaMelo Ball (2020), Josh Giddey (2021), Ousmane Dieng (2022) and Alex Sarr (2024), all being selected inside the lottery.