Mexican Prospect Karim Lopez Declares for 2026 NBA Draft Mexican basketball prospect Karim Lopez has officially declared for the 2026 NBA draft, confirming his decision to ESPN on Monday. Ranked as the No. 11 player on ESPN’s Big Board, Lopez spent the past two seasons with the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian NBL. The 19-year-old forward, known for his versatility and athleticism, has now set his sights on competing in the NBA, a goal he has pursued since childhood. Lopez, who stands 6 feet 9 inches tall with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, averaged 11.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this season while shooting 49% from the field. His performance earned him recognition as a standout among draft-eligible NBL Next Stars, including setting a single-season points record with 358 in 30 starts. He also matched the 2025 draftee Alex Toohey’s record for total steals and blocks, tallying 66 combined. Despite the Breakers’ 14-20 regular-season record, Lopez played a pivotal role in their victory of the NBL’s inaugural Ignite Cup tournament in February. His contributions were especially notable in a standout 32-point performance against Melbourne on January 30. Reflecting on his time in the NBL, Lopez emphasized the growth he experienced, noting that his recovery from a summer back injury helped him reach his peak in the second season. NBA scouts have taken notice of Lopez’s combination of size, ball-handling skills, playmaking ability, and toughness, traits that align with the qualities teams often seek in draft prospects. However, his perimeter shooting and physical explosiveness are areas he aims to refine ahead of the pre-draft process. “I want to show NBA teams who I am,” Lopez said. “Playing in a grown man league, it’s not easy. But there’s things I feel like people haven’t seen yet.#nba_draft #karim_lopez #new_zealand_breakers #joventut_badalona #hermosillo_mexico
