Karim Lopez Declares for 2026 NBA Draft: Top International Prospect

March 23, 2026 Alex Carter - Sports Editor Sport

Mexican forward Karim López has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft, confirming a lifelong ambition to play in the league, he told ESPN on Monday. The 19-year-old, currently ranked as the No. 11 prospect on ESPN’s substantial board, is projected to become the first first-round pick of Mexican descent.

López spent the past two seasons with the New Zealand Breakers in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) as part of the Next Stars program, competing against professional players. This season, he averaged 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 49% shooting from the field in 25.6 minutes per game. He set a single-season points record for draft-eligible NBL Next Stars, totaling 358 points in 30 starts, and tied the record for total steals and blocks with 66.

The Breakers finished the regular season with a 14-20 record but secured a significant victory by winning the NBL’s inaugural Ignite Cup in February. López played a key role on the veteran-led team, highlighted by a 32-point performance against Melbourne United on January 30th. “The NBL was a lot of learning in both years, a great chapter of my life,” López said to ESPN. “I think once I was completely healthy, [this season] took off in the right direction.”

NBA scouts have reportedly been drawn to López’s combination of size – he stands at 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan – and skill set, including his ball-handling, playmaking ability, and toughness. López acknowledged the significance of his journey, stating his hope to inspire young people in Mexico. “A goal of mine is to hopefully reach young people in Mexico… and indicate people that it doesn’t matter where you’re from.”

López comes from Hermosillo, Sonora, and was considered the top prospect of his generation in Mexico. He overcame a summer back injury to improve his performance in his second NBL season. The NBA draft lottery, which will determine the order of team selections, is scheduled for May 10th. The draft itself will be held in the coming months, with no confirmed date as of Monday.