NBL Next Stars: Are these the future faces of the NBA?

Australia’s production of NBA stars is set to boom with eight players on show in the NBL primed for a shot at the big time, including one billed as a future No.1 pick.

For rusted on hoops fans, the global success of the NBL’s Next Stars program is common knowledge.

Since its 2017 inception, the initiative, designed to attract NBA draft-eligible players to Australia to prepare them for the big time has produced an increasing number of basketball success stories.

Of the seven graduated players thus far, it’s hard to go past Charlotte Hornets All-Star LaMelo Ball and Australia’s own Josh Giddey, both lottery picks who have had highly successful NBA beginnings.

This season, the NBL has attracted a record eight Next Stars, including a number of potential 2024 NBA lottery picks (top 14).

French sensation Alex Sarr has been tipped as a top-five pick, some even suggesting he could go No.1, depending on how he performs this season in Perth.

Athletic Swedish sensation Bobi Klintman also looks destined to reach the NBA via Cairns, while rising Aussie duo Alex Toohey (Kings) and Rocco Zikarsky (Bullets) have their sights set on the 2024 and 2025 drafts, respectively.

Alex Sarr blocks Jordon Crawford in the NBL opening round in Perth. Picture: Getty

Bobi Klintman during the opening NBL round. Picture: Getty

Alex Toohey drives to the basket during the 2023 NBL Blitz. Picture: Getty

The average sports fan who isn’t immersed in the basketball bubble may not be aware of the Next Stars, but it’s becoming harder and harder to ignore as the rich vein of talent takes the NBL global.

Let’s paint a picture.

The program has become so respected internationally that a record 40 scouts and numerous executives from 26 of the 30 NBA teams attended this year’s pre-season Blitz on the Gold Coast.

NBA scouts don’t waste their time on any old tournament — especially one that requires them to travel half way around the world.

The pressure on them is constant and they must nail the best recruits to give their NBA clubs the talent required to contend for the title.

A gaggle of scouts gathered together in a bay at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, notepads, iPads, phones and laptops in hands or laps, is a sight even the most hardcore NBL official or fan could not have dreamt of, less than a decade ago.

But the league’s rise doesn’t surprise its best player — Perth superstar Bryce Cotton — who believes the current level of talent is the best he has ever seen on Australian shores.

It’s a statement the three-time NBL MVP doesn’t make lightly.

Cotton prides himself on understanding the NBL’s history and has studied the pioneers who have paved the way for the competition’s success.

“In my opinion the talent in the NBL has never been better,” Cotton declared.

“In the time I’ve been playing here, especially the last four years or so, I think this is the most talented era that the NBL has ever had.

“And I don’t think it’s close.

“From an American or foreigner standpoint, as well as locals, I think the league, across the board, is more talented.

“I’d like to think that I’ve studied a little bit of the league’s history and I think this the NBL’s golden era.”

Cotton’s high praise of the NBL is supported by countless esteemed voices across the basketball globe.

Many were present at the Blitz, including ESPN NBA draft analyst Jonathan Givony.

The eight NBL Next Stars. AJ Johnson (Hawks), Rocco Zikarsky (Bullets), Alex Sarr (Wildcats), Trentyn Flowers (36ers), Ariel Hukporti (United), Alex Toohey (Kings), Mantas Rubstavicius (Breakers) and Bobi Klintman (Taipans).

The American is the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service utilised by NBA, NCAA and International teams.

Givony spent the week on the Gold Coast surveying the NBL’s talent, including this year’s Next Stars.

He walked away incredibly impressed with the seven of the eight potential draft picks — New Zealand’s Mantas Rubstavicius was forced out with an injury.

“A dozen NBA scouts here in Gold Coast to get another look at Trentyn Flowers from Adelaide after a tough NBL Blitz debut,” Givony tweeted.

“Access to teams and prospects definitely one of the highlights of this event.”

The Next Stars program paves the way for players to reach the NBA — and earn big dollars in the process.

Rocco Zikarsky slams it against the 36ers in the NBL opening round. Picture: Getty

Legendary four-time Boomers’ Olympian and NBL 500-gamer Ray Borner believes basketball could make 220cm Aussie big-kid Zikarsky a billionaire — and the 17-year-old isn’t draft eligible until next year.

“You look at young Brisbane’s Rocco, he’s going to be outstanding,” Borner said of the Brisbane Bullets teen.

“You think about what his career’s going to be: I look and I think ‘well, there’s a billion dollars, US’.

“He‘s got three or four good (NBA) contracts, $300 million each, so a billion dollars, with his endorsements, if he can keep healthy.”

The 1985 NBL MVP said the NBL has driven a positive shift in attitude toward the sport in Australia.

“There‘s no doubt that Australian basketball is on the up and up, it’s not on the nose anymore, (league owner) Larry’s (Kestelman) done a great job of that.

“It‘s starting to reflect with the players coming through.”

Originally published as NBL Next Stars: Are these the future faces of the NBA?