NBL’s USA “Double Down”

As the Next Stars program continues its ascension on the global basketball stage, NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger says the development pathway is helping the league grow in North America.

It has been a landmark few days for Next Stars, with program graduates Rayan Rupert and Mojave King being drafted in the NBA, and Australian sensation Alex Toohey signing with the Sydney Kings.

Since its inception, five Next Stars have been drafted directly from the NBL to the NBA - LaMelo Ball (pick 3, 2020), RJ Hampton (pick 24, 2020), Josh Giddey (pick 6, 2021), Ousmane Dieng (pick 11, 2022) and Rupert (pick 43, 2023).

With Next Stars at the epicentre of the NBL becoming a proven pathway to the NBA, Loeliger says expanding the league’s audience in North America is a priority.

“The intention is that we really double down our efforts in the North American market over the coming years and we want to be on a mainstream platform over there,” Loeliger told Fairfax Media.

“The easiest way to sort of encapsulate it is in discussions that we have about broadcast opportunities, in the US in particular, is the focus of those discussions is on the Next Stars.

“They want to see is how these young kids compare to genuine pros playing at the highest level of the game…everyone wants to be able to say they knew that rock band before they were cool.”

Toohey is the sixth Next Star signing for the 2023/24 campaign, joining Bobi Klintman (Cairns Taipans), AJ Johnson (Illawarra Hawks), Ariel Hukporti (Melbourne United), Mantas Rubstavicius (New Zealand Breakers) and Alexandre Sarr (Perth Wildcats).

Last week ESPN released its 2024 NBA mock draft, with four Next Stars featured – Johnson (pick 16), Sarr (19), Klintman (25) and Rubstavicius (49).

“It’s one of the things that sets us apart from other pro leagues around the world – these young players are getting a real chance to show how talented they are,” Loeliger said.