NBL Next Stars: Who’s Rising and Where’s the Exposure?
NBL Next Stars: Who’s Rising and Where’s the Exposure?
As the NBL continues to grow its reputation as a launchpad for young talent, the latest batch of Next Stars has created a lot of buzz. This class is widely regarded as one of the most stacked in recent years, but despite the high potential, these players haven’t been dominating the court the way many expected. As a result, exposure for these rising stars seems to be lacking, and it begs the question—what’s going wrong?
Who Is The Best?
Among the Next Stars, a few players are standing out, with some showing significant promise. If we had to rank them based on their performances and potential, here's where the top players stand:
Malique Lewis – For me, Lewis stands head and shoulders above the rest. He’s the most complete player in the group, possessing the size, frame, and versatility to elevate his game to the next level. With his ability to impact every aspect of the game, it's easy to see why he’s a future star in the making.
Alex Toohey – Toohey’s stock has been on the rise this season. His increased role, more minutes, and greater responsibility on the floor have all contributed to him climbing up the ranks. He’s been playing with confidence and continues to show that he can be a key player in the future.
Karim Lopez – Lopez has been solid and has carved out a good role for himself. He does everything well—defends, scores, rebounds, and is reliable in the rotation. His consistency and ability to contribute in various areas make him an important piece for his team.
Izan Almansa – Almansa is a player who’s really impressed in his short appearances for the Wildcats. While his court time has been limited, his talent is undeniable. If he had more exposure and a consistent spot in the rotation, he could easily be higher on this list.
Rocco Zikarsky – While there is a lot of hype surrounding Rocco, he hasn’t shown much on the court so far. His limited game-time and lack of standout moments have left many questioning his place among the Next Stars. It’s hard to understand how he’s so high in the mock draft rankings when his on-court performances haven’t matched the hype.
Is This Class Getting Enough Exposure?
Despite the NBL draft being as stacked as it has been in years, this Next Stars class isn’t getting the exposure many feel they deserve. The players, while talented, have yet to fully dominate and capture the attention they need to elevate their draft stock.
Could this be due to the absence of American players in the mix? Looking back at names like LaMelo Ball, RJ Hampton, and even AJ Johnson, we see how high-level exposure to the American talent pipeline helped launch them into the NBA’s spotlight. These players not only brought talent but a level of international attention that boosted the NBL's visibility. However, this current class lacks the same kind of media buzz, and it raises the question—are the NBL Next Stars not attracting the same amount of interest because they don’t have the same “American appeal”?
The situation becomes more complicated when we look at a player like Izan Almansa. Arguably one of the best junior players to come through the NBL, Almansa has the skillset to be a high draft pick. However, since his professional career started overseas, it made him ineligible for the college pathway, limiting his exposure in the US.
Is the Focus on Americans Hindering Growth?
The NBL has always prided itself on being a stepping stone for young Australian talent, but is it time to broaden the focus and consider bringing in more American players? The league has made great strides in putting Australian basketball on the map, but with that comes the challenge of maintaining the hype and excitement around the Next Stars.
There has been a noticeable decrease in scouts attending games and the level of media attention given to NBL rookies. Is the drop in American involvement contributing to this? American players have often brought both talent and international eyes to the league, and with fewer of them participating in the Next Stars program, some fear that the exposure the league once garnered is fading.
It’s clear that while the NBL has done wonders for Australian basketball—bringing attention to young local talent—it still has plenty of work to do to bring back the hype and exposure needed to elevate these players to the next level. There’s no denying that the Next Stars program has been beneficial to the league, but to continue building on its success, a more balanced approach—incorporating both international and local talent—could help reignite the interest and excitement that once surrounded it.
Final Thoughts
The NBL Next Stars class of 2024 is undeniably talented, but without the exposure, scouts, and hype needed to push them into the spotlight, their potential could go unnoticed. It will be interesting to see how the NBL navigates this challenge and whether they begin to focus more on creating pathways for international talent alongside their impressive homegrown prospects.
As the league grows, so too should the visibility of its brightest stars—both on the court and off.
What do you think? Do you believe the NBL should focus more on attracting international stars to boost the league’s exposure, or should they continue nurturing their homegrown talent? Share your thoughts below!
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