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The New Zealand Breakers' Next Star Karim Lopez has been ranked in the lottery ahead of the fast-approaching 2026 NBA Draft.

29 Apr
NBL.com.au

With the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery less than two weeks away, ESPN has released its latest mock draft featuring one of the NBL’s top rising stars.

New Zealand Breakers’ Next Star Karim Lopez has once again been ranked in the lottery, being slotted at pick 11 by ESPN’s Jeremy Woo.

This would have the talented Mexican forward being selected by the Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors have a history of selecting NBL Next Stars, picking Sydney’s Alex Toohey in the 52nd spot of last year’s draft (following a trade with the Phoenix Suns).

During a Next Stars Update episode, General Manager Next Stars Recruitment Liam Santamaria discussed what it would mean for the program for Lopez to join the likes of LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey and Alex Sarr as lottery picks.

“His camp is feeling really positive about where he sits in that (Draft) space right now," Santamaria said.

“For me, it's going to be exciting to see where he lands and see how he hits the ground running.”

The NBA Draft lottery takes place on May 11 AEST, ahead of the actual event on June 24-25.

Read the full story here >> 2026 NBA mock draft: Risers, fallers ahead of the May 10 lottery

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