While he missed out on making his potential NBA All-Star debut this season due to injury, one of the all-time greats has recently sung the praises of former NBL Next Star Josh Giddey.

During the weekend’s media availability, NBA superstar LeBron James said Chicago’s Giddey is one Australian player who has really impressed him this season.

“Josh Giddey continues to get better and better,” James said.

“His development since he’s arrived in Chicago [has been impressive]. His knock when he left OKC (Oklahoma City) was his ability to shoot the ball.

“Now he’s shooting the ball [well], you can’t just sag off him, you can’t just lay off him and dare him to shoot the ball. He’s now shooting it at a high clip.

“Obviously, he’s a big guard who pushes the pace with a lot of steam.

“He continues to get better and better, and I think Chicago has a really good player in him.”

Despite battling a range of injuries this season, including finger, ankle and most recently hamstring, the former Adelaide 36er is producing career-best numbers this season in points (18.6), assists (8.8), rebounds (8.6), and three-pointers made (1.7).

Round 22 of the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 season tips off on Wednesday night, when Tasmania hosts Illawarra from 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.