Mexican prospect Karim Lopez has declared for the 2026 NBA draft, aiming to become the first player born in Mexico selected in the first round. The 19-year-old forward, ranked No. 11 on ESPN's Big Board, spent the past two seasons with the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian NBL, where he set several marks for draft-eligible NBL Next Stars.

Standing 6-9 with a 7-1 wingspan, Lopez averaged 11.9 points and 6.1 rebounds this season while shooting 49% from the field. His breakout moment came with a 32-point performance in January against Melbourne. The Breakers won the NBL's inaugural Ignite Cup in February, with Lopez playing a key role despite the team's 14-20 record.

NBA scouts have been drawn to Lopez's combination of positional size, ball skills, and toughness. The son of former Mexican national team player Jesús Hiram Lopez, he moved to Spain at 14 to join Joventut Badalona before joining the Breakers in 2024. Lopez hopes to inspire young athletes in Mexico and grow basketball's popularity in his home country.