What is the NBL’s Next Stars Program All About?
What Is The NBL’s Next Stars Program All About?
NBL’s Next Stars Program officially Launched in 2018, as a way to entice young basketball talent to Australia with a goal to help them get drafted to the NBA or kickstart a global career in one of the world’s premier and toughest leagues. This one of a kind program has quickly established itself as an exciting way to promote emerging talent whilst also showcasing the NBL to a global audience and giving it an appeal as an exciting, albeit tough place, for new players to earn their stripes, especially when compared to the College Basketball system in the USA.
Next Stars specifically targets players who are on the cusp of eligibility for the NBA draft, including high school phenoms, international young stars, and those who choose to bypass or leave college basketball early. Over the last 6 seasons, Nex Stars and the NBL have committed to nurturing young talent, such as Frances’ Alex Sarr, the 18 year old 7 foot centre who dominated this season just gone for the Perth Wildcats, and will now likely go number one in the NBA draft.
Just like Alex, participants in the Next Stars program hail from a diverse array of countries from the United States to Nigeria, from Italy to Japan, the program has become a melting pot of cultures united by a shared love for the game. This diversity not only enriches the NBL but also provides these young athletes with a unique cultural and professional experience.
Star Examples Of The Program
As the Next Stars program continues to scale in popularity, the calibre of young basketball athletes only continues to grow, as it’s becoming sought after as a launchpad into the NBA system. Although it has only been around for half a decade, there are already numerous examples of Next Stars carving out significant careers in the NBA and other leagues, for example:
LaMelo Ball (USA)
Lamelo started with the just before the 19/20 season, and enjoyed an exciting first NBL season Illawarra Hawks which saw him take him rookie of the year honours (even though it was injury affected), on top of averaging 17 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.9 assist a game in his time with the hawks. Recruiters obviously liked what they saw, as the highly touted Ball catapulted him to the 3rd overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft with the Charlotte Hornets. Lamelo often says that his previous NBL experience has made him the player who he is today.
Josh Giddey (Australia)
After an amazing season with the Adelaide 36’ers where Josh played 28 games and averaged 10.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.4 assist per game , the now Australian Boomer guard was taken with the 6th pick overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by Oklahoma City Thunder. Josh is still playing for the Thunder and is enjoying a career best season in shots and assists in 2024, highlighting the program’s success in developing local talent.
Alexandre Sarr (France)
In the 23/24 season, French teenager Alexandre Sarr joined the Perth Wildcats as a Next Star centre, and nearly helped them get all the way to the final playoff championship series. In an injury interrupted season, Alex enjoyed over 17 minutes per game whilst averaging 9.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. ESPN is rating Alex a strong chance to go number 1 in this years NBA draft, which if holds true, will mean he is the second centre from France to go number 1 in two years running, joining his good buddy Victor Wembanyama in the NBA (what are they feeding their kids in France?).
What Does The Future Look Like For The Next Stars Program?
It’s becoming clear that the Next Stars program offers more than just playing time, it offers a springboard and global exposure for emerging ballers from across the world to test their skills in a physical and respected Australia basketball league. This renowned ‘toughness’ that the NBL provides provides a comprehensive platform for younger players to get exposed to physical conditioning, skill development, and the pressure of playing in a high level league before they potentially make their mark in the NBA. This approach ensures that participants are not only ready for the technical and physical demands of professional basketball but are also prepared for the lifestyle and media scrutiny that comes with it.
In recent years there have been plenty of NBA scouts and executives sit attend NBL games to get a firsthand look at fresh talent who have the NBA draft in their sights. It goes without saying that performances in the NBL have a significant impact on a player’s draft stock, making every game a crucial audition for the next step in their careers.
As more NBA scouts turn their attention to the NBL, the program stands as a testament to the league’s commitment to being a global gateway for the next generation of basketball stars as well as giving existing talent the opportunity to impress scouts why they are in Australia. A recent example of this is when Jaylin Galloway signed a contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, as soon as Sydney Kings were eliminated from the playoff race.
With each passing season and as new talents continue to emerge locally and internationally, this cycle of discovery and development not only enriches the quality of basketball played in the league but also solidifies the NBL’s status as a fertile ground for nurturing some of the world greatest young basketball talent.
Beyond The Draft
While the allure of the NBA draft is a major focus for many young ballers, it goes without saying that experiences gained in the NBL – from overcoming the challenges of professional play to adapting to life in a new culture – will equip these emerging stars with the resilience and versatility required to thrive in major leagues in any continent.
The success of the Next Stars program is a testament to the NBL’s visionary approach to global basketball development. The NBL is not just exporting talent; it’s contributing to the global narrative of basketball and helping create a more diverse landscape for the game’s future. As the NBL’s Next Stars program looks to the future, its legacy is already being written about the achievements of its alumni and the achievements of some of its current and future participants.
In an exciting development, on Apri, 2024 TNT Sports commentator and renowned two-time NBA champion, Kenny Smith, was announced as the new ‘head of NBL Next Stars, in can be described as a major coup for the NBL, and further legitimising the program and what it stands for. This development is one example of what the Next Stars initiative stands for, a bold declaration of the NBL’s commitment to the future of basketball in Australia, using global talent. Next Stars is also a timely reminder that every young player has the potential to be the next big thing in basketball, and sometimes, all it takes is the right opportunity to turn those dreams into a reality.
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