Liam Santamaria

GM - @NBL Next Stars Recruitment

[Liam Santamaria @Liam_Santa]

So proud of this guy. He has had an incredible journey - from Trinidad 🇹🇹 to Spain 🇪🇸 to Mexico 🇲🇽 to Aus 🇦🇺… and now an NBA Draft pick. Constantly underrated and always for the team but, as a multi-positional defender who can hit 3s, he has an NBA-friendly game. Top fella too!

[Milwaukee Bucks @Bucks]

Welcome to Milwaukee, Malique Lewis!

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

This was Karim Lopez’s best game as an NBL player: 32 points (11/13 FG, 1/2 3PT, 9/12 FT) + 8 rebounds in the Breakers’ win over Melbourne (a top-3 defence). He had 19 points in the 4th Q, scoring at all three levels, playing with impressive force.

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

Karim Lopez is headed to the Memphis Grizzlies with this 21st overall pick.

He averaged 11.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.2 spg, and 1.0 bpg this past NBL season with the NZ Breakers, in just under 26 mpg; he’s the first Mexico-born player to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft.

[Liam Santamaria @Liam_Santa]

Congrats Karim and congrats @memgrizz! 👏🏻

It has been a great joy having this terrific young man in the @NBLNextStars program at the @NZBreakers. Big things ahead in Memphis 💯

[NBL @NBL]

Karim Lopez is NEXT ⭐️

The @NZBreakers' NBL Next Star Karim Lopez has been selected with pick #21 in the 2026 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies via the Detroit Pistons 🐻

[Liam Santamaria @Liam_Santa]

@MattM_78 @derekrucker5 @BBall_Blokes @NBL 😅 I appreciate you giving me a game! 🙏

[Liam Santamaria @Liam_Santa]

So excited to partner with the @CairnsTaipans in support of Luke and his journey. Congrats LP… fun times ahead for the @BACentreofExcel product in Far North Queensland! 🐍

[NBL Next Stars @NBLNextStars]

LUKE IS A TAIPAN 🌟

One of Australia's brightest prospects Luke Paul has signed with the @CairnsTaipans for NBL27 🐍

Read more: https://t.co/UfNSOCPrpQ

[Pro Insight @_proinsight]

2026 #adidasEurocamp awards

🏆 Eurocamp MVP
🇸🇮 Stefan Joksimovic (2008)

🏆 Finals MVP
🇦🇺 Max Mackinnon (2003)

🏆 Defensive MVP
🇦🇺 Dash Daniels (2007)

🏆 Rising Star
🇺🇸 Josiah Rose (2010)

🏆 All-Eurocamp Team
🇷🇸 Pavle Backo (2007)
🇺🇸 Javon Bardwell (2007)
🇺🇸 Joaqum Boumtje-Boumtje (2009)
🇫🇷 Maxence Lemoine (2007)
🇹🇹 Malique Lewis (2004)

[NBL @NBL]

The official opening of The Corey Williams Studio ❤️

Two years on, we celebrate the life, legacy and impact of Corey “Homicide” Williams.

With his partner Filly and daughter Gabbi officially opening the NBL’s new studio in his honour, @JackHeverin, @PeterHooley12, @camluke and @Liam_Santa share some of their favourite memories.

Watch now: https://t.co/nLRKho5jAM

[Stephen Gillaspie @StephenGHoops]

I have Karim at 10. Feel like his season has gone underrated

[ALBERT GHIM @albertoeghim]

Karim Lopez is a potential lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. 📈

At 6'9", 225 lbs with a plus wingspan, he moves like a wing but plays with a big's physicality.

What stands out most? His IQ. He reads the game before it happens — smart off-ball cuts, timely passes on ball, and the ability to grab a defensive rebound and push pace in transition before defenses can set.

Lopez is a physical player who plays a tough brand of basketball on both ends of the floor. On the defensive end, he flashes incredible instincts and has the physicality to guard against bigs with his powerful base. Lopez is also a tenacious rebounder.

The shooting (32.6% from 3) is still developing, but he showed more confidence and conviction this season. 11.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.2 STL, 1.0 BLK — in under 26 minutes. The upside is real.

@NoCeilingsNBA

[Liam Santamaria @Liam_Santa]

Congrats @SydneyKings 👏🏻👏🏻

[Liam Santamaria @Liam_Santa]

This is excellent sports writing. A great read after a memorable night of @NBL basketball. We have a series!

[Olgun Uluc @OlgunUluc]

On how Bryce Cotton’s incredible game-winner unfolded, the drama that went down on and (from what I saw) off the court in the aftermath, Sydney’s offence stagnating late, and big contributions from Cameron/Jenkins/Humphries.

Game 2 reax on @ESPNAusNZ.
https://t.co/0QeTbpe4Yi

[Jeremy Woo @JeremyWoo]

Mexico's Karim Lopez – the No. 11 prospect on ESPN's Big Board – has declared for the 2026 NBA draft and is projected to become the first Mexican-born first-round pick in league history.

Story with @ShamsCharania:

https://t.co/MGlCGj6nqi

[NBL Next Stars @NBLNextStars]

DECLARED 📈

@NZBreakers NBL Next Star Karim Lopez has officially declared for the the 2026 NBA Draft 🇲🇽

What NBA team is calling his name? 👀

[Shams Charania @ShamsCharania]

Mexico's Karim Lopez – the No. 11 prospect on ESPN's Big Board – has declared for the 2026 NBA draft and is projected to become the first Mexico-born first-round pick in league history.

Story with @JeremyWoo: https://t.co/nNCFvfqub3

[SLAM @SLAMonline]

A native of Mexico and standout in Australia’s NBL, Karim López has fully established himself as one of the world’s top prospects and the future of Mexican hoops. Next stop? The NBA.

Read more: https://t.co/Wx3OSK0wIW

[Liam Santamaria @Liam_Santa]

When Karim first arrived 18 months ago, he landed at 6am after epic travel from Mexico & was on court at 10am. An AC texted: “couldn’t keep him off, this kid clearly loves to work!”

Now ends his two-season Next Stars journey as a Cup champion & holder of numerous @NBL records ⭐️

[NBL Next Stars @NBLNextStars]

Karim Lopez 🆚 Adelaide 36ers in 31 MINS:

12 PTS (5/6 FG)
8 REB
5 AST
2 STL
+10 (team-high)

@NZBreakers

[NBL Next Stars @NBLNextStars]

NBL Next Stars 🤝 adidas Eurocamp

The prestigious event will again feature a team representing the program this June 🙌

[Liam Santamaria @Liam_Santa]

Genuine steal for a smart, patient organisation with a real development plan. The long-term upside was - and is - definitely there.

[Shea Butter @ButtaSports]

I like what I’m seeing out of Rocco Zikarsky in the G League so far

a 7’3” Aussie catching lobs, hitting 3s, blocking shots, looking decently comfortable with the ball at 19 years old is going to have a spot in the NBA

2nd round pick at 45 last draft😏

[Liam Santamaria @Liam_Santa]

Will be one of the steals of the 2026 NBA Draft. Has the body (strong 6'8 frame with a 7'1 wingspan), excellent defender, very good connective passer, shooting 40% 3PT... only cares about winning.

[NBL Next Stars @NBLNextStars]

Malique Lewis 🆚 NZ Breakers in 22 MINS:

13 PTS (4/6 FG, 5/5 FT)
10 REB
6 AST
2 STL
2 BLK

@SEMelbPhoenix