Potential lottery pick Karim Lopez has declared for this year’s draft, Jeremy Woo and Shams Charania of ESPN report.
Lopez is ranked No. 11 on ESPN’s big board. The Mexican forward has spent the past two seasons with the New Zealand Breakers in Australia’s National Basketball League. He’s the top-ranked international prospect on ESPN’s draft rankings and could become the first player born in Mexico to be selected in the first round.
“It’s been my dream and my goal my whole life to play in the NBA,” Lopez said. “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.”
Lopez, who turns 19 next month, averaged 11.9 points and 6.1 rebounds in 25.6 minutes per game while shooting 49% from the field this season. The 6’9” forward set several records for draft-eligible NBL Next Stars, including the single-season points record with 358 in his 30 starts.
Lopez took a step forward in his second NBL season, including a 32-point game in a Jan. 30 win over Melbourne. NBA scouts have been drawn to Lopez’s combination of positional size, 7’1” wingspan, ball skills, play-making flashes and toughness, according to the ESPN duo.
“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.”
He is a huge talent – the top 15 spots in this draft are going to produce high-end rotation guys, the first half of this draft is loaded!
I could see Okc maybe taking if he is cool as a stash pick.
Not sure about Karim and ive seen quite a big sample size. Im sure he’ll be a first round pick though. His size and all jack of all trades type skill set is appealing. Good or decent athleticism not great for the NBA. Decision making and natural instincts to make the right reads at both ends are a bit of question mark. A long term project who doesnt really know what type of player he’ll be yet. More offensive minded than defensive minded. Extremely young with lots of room for improvement.
I read the warriors were scouting him last month.
Hence the glowing report from Davey who has never seen a NBL game in his life. Id be looking at others for a lottery pick.
MDJ was scouting him warriors will likely have 11th or 12th pick.
I’m certainly not a scout, but I was fortunate to watch Lopez regularly as he played here in New Zealand. The sky is the limit for him.