The path to the NBA talent pool has steadily expanded beyond the North American borders, with a record-breaking 135 international players rostered across the league at the start of the 2025-26 season.
A prospect from outside the United States, Mexico native Karim Lopez, has emerged as one of the most notable names about to join the movement.
Lopez has built momentum over the past two seasons by already playing professional basketball with the New Zealand Breakers in Australia’s NBL.
On Monday, Lopez confirmed the next step in that journey, declaring himself for the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft while appearing on ESPN Mexico.
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“It’s been my dream and my goal my whole life to play in the NBA,” Lopez said. “Honestly, since I can remember. I was probably like 5 years old, making drawings of myself playing in the NBA.
“It’s pretty special, you know, to be in this position right now.”
The 18-year-old forward officially declared for the 2026 NBA Draft in time to abide by the eligibility requirement for international players under 22 to enter their names 60 days before the event.
Lopez, who will turn 19 in April, is ranked No. 10 on ESPN’s big board and is widely projected as a first-round pick. If that projection holds, he would become the first Mexican-born player selected in the first round.
Standing 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, Lopez averaged 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and two assists per game this season while shooting 50.2 percent from the field and 32.6 percent from three-point range.
“[The NBL] was a lot of learning in both years, a great chapter of my life,” Lopez said. “I think once I was completely healthy, [this season] took off in the right direction. Obviously, I would have liked to make the playoffs, but winning the Ignite Cup was big time. I’m really happy about the experience I gained, all the preparation.”
The 2026 NBA Draft will take place over two days and is scheduled for late June, with the exact dates still unknown.
