As we head into the FIBA break, it’s the perfect time to assess where the NBL26 Next Stars class stands. Across the opening ten rounds, some prospects have made the key strides required to strengthen their NBA draft case, while others have battled adversity and inconsistency.
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Karim Lopez and Dash Daniels have clearly separated themselves from the pack – both in production and in how NBA scouts currently view their long-term potential. The remaining two prospects continue to show flashes, but there’s work to be done as the season rolls on.
Here is the latest edition of the NBL Next Stars Power Rankings.
1 | KARIM LOPEZ | 18 | NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS | FORWARD | PREVIOUS RANK: 2
Karim Lopez continues to build on his strong start to the season, showcasing clear growth on both ends of the floor – particularly with his three-point shooting and defensive versatility. The 18-year-old is posting career-best numbers across the board with 10.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists, highlighting his steady progression in year two.
A major area of emphasis for Lopez entering NBL26 was offensive efficiency, and the results speak for themselves. After shooting 45% from the field and 30% from three last season, he has lifted those marks to 49% from the field and 40% from deep – a significant jump that has caught the attention of NBA scouts. While Lopez isn’t seen as having one “elite” skill, his well-rounded game continues to keep him firmly in first-round conversations.
His recent performances have only reinforced that trajectory. He posted 15 points, three rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in the Breakers’ win over Cairns, and also had 13 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block against Brisbane in Round 9, finishing with a +21 plus-minus.
The second half of the season looms as crucial for his draft stock. Many mock drafts currently project Lopez anywhere from a top-10 selection to a first-round lock, with ESPN’s Jeremy Woo having him 11th overall to the Memphis Grizzlies, and continued consistency will be key in determining where he ultimately lands.
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Karim Lopez of the Breakers. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)
Karim Lopez of the Breakers. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
2 | DASH DANIELS | 17 | MELBOURNE UNITED | GUARD | PREVIOUS RANK: 1
Dash Daniels continues to play a valuable role on the league-leading Melbourne United, contributing steadily during their blistering 13-2 start to the season. In just 16 minutes per game across 15 appearances, the 17-year-old is averaging 5.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.9 steals, giving United consistent impact off the bench.
Among NBA scouts, Daniels is viewed as one of the elite defensive prospects in this draft class. His assignments vary from night to night, and Dean Vickerman has regularly trusted him to take on the opposition’s most dangerous perimeter threat. That level of responsibility at his age is accelerating his defensive development and strengthening his draft resume.
Offensively, the question marks that followed him into the season are gradually fading. Daniels has taken encouraging steps forward, showing the ability to hit corner threes, attack off the dribble and use his size to absorb contact and finish at the rim. His shooting splits – 44% from the field and 34% from deep – are more than respectable for a player not renowned as a high-level offensive weapon.
Another key indicator for teams is his impact on winning, and Daniels holds a +2.8 plus-minus on the season, reflecting the value he brings in United’s two-way structure.
Where he ultimately lands in the NBA Draft remains one of the more intriguing storylines. Like Karim Lopez, mock drafts have him anywhere from a lottery selection to a late first-round pick – and his performance in the second half of the season will go a long way in determining which end of that spectrum becomes reality. ESPN’s latest mock draft had Daniels going 23rd to reigning champions Oklahoma City.
Dash Daniels in action. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
Dash Daniels in action. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
3 | MALIQUE LEWIS | 21 | SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX | FORWARD | PREVIOUS RANK: 3
Malique Lewis entered NBL26 needing the same key improvement as Karim Lopez – enhanced shooting efficiency, particularly from long range, to better translate his game to the NBA level. After withdrawing from the 2025 NBA Draft, Lewis returned to the NBL with a clear goal: refine his skill set and elevate his standing ahead of the 2026 draft cycle.
So far, he has done exactly that. With a renewed focus on perimeter shooting, Lewis has lifted his three-point percentage from 31% to 39%, a major leap that has reshaped how defences guard him. His overall production has climbed as well, averaging 7.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.5 steals – all improvements on last season – while taking on a more meaningful role within the Phoenix system.
Lewis is the type of player who impacts games in a variety of ways, offering a Draymond Green–style versatility. His defensive utility is criminally underrated, switching seamlessly from guarding elite scorers like Bryce Cotton to bigger, multi-positional threats such as Xavier Cooks. His absence was felt immediately in the Phoenix’s recent loss to Adelaide, underscoring his importance to their structure.
His impact is backed up statistically too. Lewis holds the fourth-best plus-minus in the league (+8.2), a strong indicator of how consistently he contributes to winning basketball. While he may not possess a single “elite” attribute that typically defines a first-round NBA prospect, the combination of improved shooting, defensive versatility and winning habits keeps him firmly on the radar.
The draft may not be the avenue that gets him into the NBA right this moment, but if he continues on this trajectory, it’s hard to imagine a world where a team doesn’t eventually take a chance on him.
Malique Lewis. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)
Malique Lewis. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
4 | NOA KOUAKOU-HEUGUE | 18 | PERTH WILDCATS | FORWARD | PREVIOUS RANK: 4
Noa Kouakou-Heugue’s season has been anything but straightforward. After limited early opportunities, he explored a move away from the Perth Wildcats and the Next Stars program before ultimately returning to the club to see out the year. Even with his reinstatement, the battle for consistent minutes remains an ongoing challenge.
Kouakou-Heugue has appeared in just five games this season, averaging 3.0 points and 1.8 rebounds on an efficient 66% from the field. He has only recently rejoined the rotation across the Wildcats’ two Round 10 outings, and the upcoming FIBA break looms as a crucial stretch for him to recalibrate, regroup and push for a more defined role in the second half of the season.
While his NBA draft hopes for 2026 appear slim at this stage, his long-term potential continues to draw at least some interest from scouts. The most logical pathway forward is likely remaining in Perth on a two-year development plan – reportedly the original plan – especially after the flashes he showed earlier in the season against Cairns and Illawarra.
Time will ultimately tell with Kouakou-Heugue, but right now the reality is clear: he is still a considerable distance from where he wants to be, and the work ahead is significant.
Noa Kouakou-Heugue of the Wildcats. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
Noa Kouakou-Heugue of the Wildcats. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images