James to Join List of Next Stars Studs?

The NBL has provided a proven pathway for players to get into – and back to – the NBA in recent seasons.

Whether it be the likes of Ousmane Dieng being selected in the first round of last season’s draft, Matthew Dellavedova finding his way to Sacramento after a stint with Melbourne United, or Jae’Sean Tate finding his way to Houston after a season in Sydney, there are eyes on this competition.

That’s why NBL owner Larry Kestelman’s lofty statements regarding the potential for four star prospect and McDonald’s All-American Bronny James to play in the NBL aren’t beyond the realms of possibility.

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James – who’s father is four-time NBA champion and four-time NBA MVP LeBron James – is currently considering his options ahead of finishing his high school career at the end of this season.

“Wouldn’t it be amazing to see him in the NBL,” NBL analyst and General Manager of Next Stars Recruitment Liam Santamaria said. “He’s obviously a guy plenty of schools, colleges and the like – and the NBL – are interested in bringing in next season.

“There’s reporting about him narrowing his collegiate choices down – talking about Ohio State, Oregon, USC, so there’s plenty of competition of course.

“We’ve reached out, the conversation is underway and hopefully those conversations can pick up steam.”

Since its introduction in the 2018-19 season, the Next Stars program has seen genuine NBA stars LaMelo Ball and Josh Giddey pass through the NBL, as well as first round draft picks Ousmane Dieng and RJ Hampton, second round draft pick Hugo Besson, and highly-rated prospects Rayan Rupert and Ariel Hukporti, among others.

Torrey Craig spent three seasons in the NBL before embarking on an NBA career with Denver, Milwaukee, Indiana and Phoenix.

Santamaria says the NBL is becoming an appealing option to young players all over the world – and not just because of the Next Stars program.

“It’s a proven pathway,” he said. “We’ve seen it with imports – guys like Jae’Sean Tate and Torrey Craig. We’ve seen it with Aussie players who are looking for a pathway into the NBA, but over the journey we’ve seen it with a lot of guys who are looking to make it into the draft and into the NBA.

“We’ve seen it with Americans like LaMelo Ball, we’ve seen it with Australians like Josh Giddey, and we’ve seen it with European players like Ousmane Dieng and Rayan Rupert.

“Players from right around the globe, their families and their representatives are well and truly considering the NBL as a pathway to that destination.”