Mexico's Karim Lopez Declares for 2026 NBA Draft Mexico’s Karim Lopez has officially announced his intention to enter the 2026 NBA Draft, according to reports from ESPN’s Jeremy Woo and Shams Charania. The 19-year-old forward, who is considered one of the top prospects in international basketball, could become the first player of Mexican descent selected in the first round of the draft. Lopez is the son of Jesús Hiram Lopez, a former member of Mexico’s national team. Lopez has spent the past two seasons competing for the New Zealand Breakers in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL). As part of the league’s Next Stars program, he has gained significant attention for his performances on a roster featuring veteran players. This season, he averaged 11.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while shooting 49% from the field in 25.6 minutes per contest. His standout efforts included a 32-point performance in a January 30 win over the Melbourne Tigers. Lopez also set a single-season Next Stars record by scoring 358 points across 30 starts. He matched the combined steals and blocks of former 2025 second-round pick Alex Toohey, tallying 66 defensive contributions. His physical attributes, including a height of 6-9 and a 7-1 wingspan, have drawn interest from NBA scouts. Despite the Breakers finishing with a 14-20 record in the regular season, the team claimed the NBL’s inaugural Ignite Cup, a tournament within the regular season. Lopez’s decision to declare for the draft comes as the 2026 NBA Draft is expected to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. The NBA Draft Combine will take place from May 10 to 17 in Chicago, followed by the draft itself in late June. His inclusion in the draft class highlights the growing global reach of the NBA and the increasing presence of international talent in the league.#nba_draft #karim_lopez #new_zealand_breakers #nbl #jess_hiram_lopez
Karim Lopez NBA mock draft projection: Where International (Australia) star is expected to land March Madness has begun, and college stars are now focusing on their potential futures in the NBA draft. One international prospect not competing in the tournament has drawn significant attention from scouts — Karim Lopez, a forward from Mexico. Lopez is projected to be selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA draft, with USA TODAY’s current mock draft placing him at pick No. 17 overall, where the Oklahoma City Thunder are expected to select him. The Thunder’s decision to draft Lopez would follow a pattern of selecting players from Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL), including Josh Giddey. Lopez, who was born in Mexico but plays for an international team in Australia, is seen as a top prospect from the overseas class. Despite needing further development, his physical tools and performance have made him a standout. On January 30, he recorded a career-high 32 points (11-of-13 from the field) along with eight rebounds, two blocks, and one steal in a game against Melbourne. Even if he is considered a draft-and-stash player, his potential fits well with the Thunder’s crowded rotation. Lopez’s stats as of March 15 highlight his contributions: he averages 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while shooting 50.2% from the field and 32.6% from beyond the arc. His performance has solidified his status as a high-value prospect. The Thunder’s projected draft picks for 2026 include No. 15 (via the Los Angeles Clippers), No. 16 (via the Philadelphia 76ers), and No. 36 (via the Dallas Mavericks), all based on Tankathon’s lottery projections. The Thunder’s selection of Lopez would mark another addition to their roster of international talent, continuing a trend of investing in players from the NBL.#oklahoma_city_thunder #mexico #josh_giddey #karim_lopez #nbl
