You Won't Believe What Mexican Star Karim Lopez Just Did—NBA Draft Shocker Revealed!

Mexican basketball prospect Karim Lopez has officially declared for the 2026 NBA Draft, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career. Lopez, who is ranked as the No. 11 player on ESPN's Big Board, spent the last two seasons with the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL).

Lopez, now 19, expressed his excitement about the upcoming draft, stating, “It’s been my dream and my goal my whole life to play in the NBA. Honestly, since I can remember. I was probably like, 5 years old, making drawings of myself playing in the NBA. ... It’s pretty special, you know, to be in this position right now.”

During the most recent season, Lopez averaged 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and shot 49% from the field over 25.6 minutes per game. At 6-9, he has displayed impressive perimeter skills and set several records for draft-eligible NBL Next Stars, including the single-season points record with a total of 358 points in 30 starts. He also tied the record for total steals and blocks with 66, previously set by 2025 draftee Alex Toohey.

Despite the Breakers finishing their season with a 14-20 record, they secured the inaugural NBL Ignite Cup, a regular-season tournament, in February, with Lopez playing a crucial role on a veteran-led team. Coming off a summer back injury, Lopez described his second NBL season as a period of substantial personal growth, highlighting a standout performance with a 32-point game against Melbourne on January 30.

“[The NBL] was a lot of learning in both years; a great chapter of my life,” Lopez reflected. “I think once I was completely healthy, [this season] took off in the right direction. Obviously, I would have liked to make the playoffs, but winning the Ignite Cup was big time. I'm really happy about the experience I gained, all the preparation.”

NBA scouts have taken notice of Lopez's combination of positional size, 7-1 wingspan, ball-handling skills, playmaking ability, and toughness—traits that are highly desirable in the draft. However, he acknowledges that improving his perimeter shooting and physical explosiveness will be essential as he prepares for the pre-draft process. “I want to show NBA teams who I am,” Lopez stated. “Playing in a grown man league, it’s not easy. But there are things I feel like people haven’t seen yet.”

Lopez is currently the top-ranked international prospect on ESPN's draft rankings and is projected to be the first Mexican-born player selected in the first round of the NBA draft. He is the son of former Mexican national team player Jesús Hiram Lopez and moved to Spain at age 14 to join the Spanish club Joventut Badalona before making his way to the Breakers in 2024.

A primary goal for Lopez is to inspire the next generation of athletes in Mexico. “A goal of mine is to hopefully reach young people in Mexico,” he remarked. “Trying to grow the sport and inspire athletes and people in general to follow their dreams. Show people that it doesn’t matter where you’re from.”

The NBA Draft Combine is scheduled to take place from May 10-17 in Chicago, followed by the NBA Draft itself, set for late June. As Lopez prepares for this pivotal moment in his career, he stands on the verge of not just personal achievement but potentially shaping the narrative for aspiring athletes from Mexico and beyond.