As the new NBA season tips off, attention is turning not just to the league's stars, but to where many of them began.

The NBL's Next Stars program has become one of basketball's most credible pathways to the NBA, reshaping how young talent reaches the game's biggest stage.

When Alex Sarr shook hands with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver as the second overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, it was more than a personal milestone.

It was a defining moment for Australian basketball and proof that the NBL's Next Stars program had evolved into a legitimate pipeline to the world's best league.

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The program offers top prospects a professional alternative to college basketball; one that combines high-level competition, NBA exposure, and a professional lifestyle in a stable environment.

From concept to cornerstone

The idea dates back to 2016, when Terrance Ferguson joined the Adelaide 36ers instead of taking the US college route.

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His success and eventual first-round selection in the 2017 NBA Draft inspired the NBL to formalise a system that could attract elite young players.

Launched officially in 2018, the Next Stars program gave prospects a clear structure: professional coaching, guaranteed playing time, access to NBA scouts, and off-court support.

Within two years, the program had produced big names.

LaMelo Ball's season with Illawarra drew international headlines, while Josh Giddey's rise to a lottery pick in 2021 solidified the league's credibility as a development pathway.

Proven results

In just six seasons, Next Stars has become a consistent producer of NBA talent.

Players like LaMelo Ball, RJ Hampton, Josh Giddey, and Ousmane Dieng have made the leap, while 2024 delivered a record four draftees, headlined by Alex Sarr at No. 2 to Washington.

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That momentum carried into 2025, with Alex Toohey and Rocco Zikarsky hearing their names called in the NBA Draft after coming through the Next Stars pathway.

Looking ahead, the pipeline remains strong.

Karim Lopez (New Zealand Breakers) and Dash Daniels (Melbourne United), younger brother of Dyson Daniels, are featured in early 2026 projections, with both viewed as top-tier prospects.

Lopez's breakout season in Auckland and Daniels' Defensive MVP honour at the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp underlines how the NBL now competes directly with US college programs for high-level young talent.

Changing the development model

The Next Stars approach has challenged traditional assumptions about how players should reach the NBA.

Rather than balancing academics and basketball, prospects can focus entirely on their craft in a professional setting.

Players receive year-round skill development, strength and conditioning, and tactical training against experienced professionals; preparation that mirrors NBA systems.

Beyond the physical, the program places emphasis on mental readiness: handling media attention, adjusting to travel demands, and managing professional expectations.

The next step

Success also brings new challenges.

As Next Stars expands, the NBL must maintain the balance between player development and team competitiveness.

The league faces rising competition from Europe's top clubs, the G League Ignite, and even college programs bolstered by NIL opportunities.

Still, the NBL's willingness to innovate remains a strength.

If 2026 prospects Lopez and Daniels continue their rise, the NBL could soon rival established European leagues as the world's premier pre-NBA platform.

A new benchmark

In less than a decade, the Next Stars program has redefined what's possible for young players chasing the NBA dream.

From LaMelo Ball's breakout to Alex Sarr's historic draft night, it has delivered tangible results and placed Australia firmly on basketball's global map.

As the next generation steps up, the NBL stands as proof that there's more than one road to the NBA.

For many of tomorrow's stars, that road now begins Down Under.