The NBL has quickly become a league that serves as a proven pathway to the NBA.
With the NBL Next Star program bringing eyes to the league, and scouts in attendance, it has helped the overall growth of the competition – to the point where now players are coming to the NBL to use it as a pipeline back to the NBA.
Here we look at who might be the next players to make the leap to the NBA, or back, from the current crop of players and join the likes of Lamelo Ball, Josh Giddey, Jae’Sean Tate and Jock Landale.
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10 | Alex Higgins-Titsha | Cairns Taipans | Forward | 25 YRS
Higgins-Titsha is quickly emerging as one of the most intriguing prospects for NBA scouts. His rare blend of athleticism, versatility, and steady development make him a genuine candidate for the next level.
In his debut NBL season, Higgins-Titsha averaged six points, four rebounds, and one block per game – numbers that underscored his impact on both ends of the floor.
His breakout year caught the attention of the Golden State Warriors, who invited him to their preseason mini camp and selected him for their NBA Summer League roster. Unfortunately, injury setbacks limited his opportunities to showcase his game on that stage.
Now entering his second season, Higgins-Titsha arrives with greater expectations and valuable lessons learned. With growing confidence and the knowledge that he belongs among elite competition, his athleticism and dynamic play style make him a name to watch closely.
Taipans clinch game in Sunshine stoush | 01:26
9 | Malique Lewis | SEM Phoenix | Forward | 20 YRS
Lewis enters NBL26 as one of just four official Next Stars, bringing with him the type of physical tools NBA scouts can’t ignore.
At twenty years old, his size, frame, and athletic profile already look NBA ready, giving him the potential to slot into a future role as a reliable bench contributor at the highest level.
What separates Lewis right now isn’t his scoring but his mentality. He embraces the workman role – defending hard, playing with aggression, and doing the dirty work that often goes unnoticed.
Last season, he averaged six points, four rebounds, and one assist per game. This year, through the early rounds, he’s putting up three points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block per contest – proving once again his value as a versatile defender and energy piece.
The challenge is clear: his offensive game. Lewis is shooting just twenty-one percent from the field so far this season, a mark that makes the leap to the NBA difficult to project.
If he can raise his efficiency and show growth as a scorer, his physical traits, defensive instincts, and willingness to do the hard work give him a legitimate pathway to an NBA roster. Without that improvement, however, it may be hard to see him making the jump.
Hawks lose in the Intercontinental Cup | 01:00
8 | Jaylin Galloway | Sydney Kings | Forward | 22 Years
Galloway and the NBA have already crossed paths, albeit briefly, when he was signed by the Milwaukee Bucks on a two-way deal.
Since then, Galloway has battled through a shoulder injury, delivered one of the most impressive Asia Cup campaigns in recent memory, and now enters NBL26 looking every bit a force for the Sydney Kings.
When you talk about NBA-level talent and athleticism, Galloway ticks every box. What he needs now is an extended run of good health and a consistent outside shot to match the demands of the modern game.
Encouragingly, he showcased significant progress at the Asia Cup, where he averaged a remarkable sixty-seven percent from three-point range – a testament to the hours of work he has put in behind the scenes.
For Galloway, making it back to the NBA after getting so close once before would be an incredible achievement. By choosing the NBL pathway over college or other routes, he has become a homegrown success story.
For the league as a whole, seeing another Australian player rise from the NBL to the NBA would be a milestone moment.
7 | Mason Jones | Perth Wildcats | Guard | 27 YRS
Jones is the first import on this list, and he arrives with both accolades and experience as he looks to use NBL26 as a springboard back into the NBA.
Most recently, Jones starred for the Stockton Kings in the G League, playing an instrumental role in their championship run. He not only guided the team to the Finals series but also claimed Finals MVP honours, averaging twenty-three points, just under eight assists, and five rebounds per game.
His NBL career has not started as smoothly as he would have hoped, but time is often required to adjust to a new team, a new league, and a new style of play. As a combo guard with a natural scoring instinct, Jones fits the mould of a perfect NBL import. If he can settle in and find his rhythm, he has the potential to be a genuine MVP candidate.
The belief around the league is that Jones still has untapped potential. If he can fulfil it, he may go further than the G League and establish himself as a consistent NBA contributor. For now, the ball is in his hands, and with the weight of a franchise’s expectations on his shoulders, all eyes will be on how he responds.
Wildcats begin post Cotton era | 00:55
6 | Jesse Edwards | Melbourne United | Centre | 25 YRS
Edwards, the 25-year-old big man, joins Melbourne United following a brief stint in the NBA and NBA G League with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Standing at six-foot-eleven, Edwards enters the NBL as one of the tallest and most physically gifted players in the competition. His impact has been immediate, helping United start the season three–nil while averaging thirteen points, seven rebounds, one assist, and just over one block per game.
Edwards has quickly become a nightmare matchup for opposition coaches. His dominance on the glass – particularly on the offensive end – and his effectiveness as a pick-and-roll option have made him a central piece of United’s attack. Defensively, his ability to alter shots and deter players from driving into the lane has been just as impressive, underlining why he was seen as an NBA-ready product.
While big men often take longer to fully adjust to the professional game, Edwards has settled seamlessly into the NBL. With his wingspan, mobility, and two-way presence, he already looks every bit the type of player capable of making another push toward the NBA.
5 | Bryce Hamilton | Tasmania JackJumpers | Guard | 24 YRS
Hamilton has been as good as advertised through the opening rounds of NBL26.
Averaging twenty-three points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals per game while shooting fifty-three percent from the field, Hamilton has already placed himself firmly in the NBL MVP conversation. His ability to take over a game in just a few possessions, combined with his knack for getting teammates involved, has quickly shown fans that he is one of the league’s elite talents.
He may be the second-best Bryce in NBL history behind the five-time MVP Bryce Cotton, but Hamilton is already delivering that same game-breaking scoring impact Cotton has become famous for.
With Milton Doyle departing in the offseason, the JackJumpers needed a replacement, and in Hamilton, they may have landed not just a successor but one of the league’s brightest new stars.
Having spent time in the NBA G League, Hamilton knows the pathway is there. If he can sustain this level of play and lead Tasmania back to the promised land, a return to the NBA could be within reach. Even if not, the way he is performing right now suggests there will be a spot for him at the highest level somewhere.
For now, Bryce Hamilton is a force to be reckoned with.
Hawks underwhelming in loss to Tasmaina | 01:18
4 | Tyrell Harrison | Brisbane Bullets | Centre | 26 YRS
The NBL25 Most Improved Player has experienced one of the most exciting rises in Australian basketball over the past offseason.
After a breakout campaign last year, where he averaged fourteen points, just under ten rebounds, and one block per game, Harrison has not only built on those numbers but also developed into a far more complete player.
His rise has been nothing short of remarkable. Following the end of the NBL25 season, Harrison headed to Puerto Rico before earning a coveted spot on the Denver Nuggets’ NBA Summer League roster. There, he made such a strong impression that many believed he was destined for a two-way deal and would not return to the NBL.
Yet fast forward to the present, and Harrison is back with Brisbane, emerging as one of the league’s brightest stars. To start NBL26, he is averaging twenty-one points, eleven rebounds, two assists, and shooting a staggering eighty percent from the field.
While the Bullets may be struggling in the early part of the season, Harrison is making it clear to the basketball world that when the NBA call comes, he is ready – and ready to make an immediate impact.
3 | Kendric Davis | Sydney Kings | Guard | 26 YRS
Davis is one of the most electrifying players the NBL has ever seen, and his rookie year in the league was nothing short of spectacular.
Averaging twenty-five points, just under eight assists, and four rebounds per game, Davis quickly established himself as an MVP-level talent, ultimately finishing second only to Bryce Cotton in the voting.
This season marks a new chapter as Davis leaves the Adelaide 36ers and joins the Sydney Kings with two clear goals: win an NBL championship and earn his way back to the NBA. Sydney provides the perfect environment, with fellow recruit Matthew Dellavedova, former NBA centre Andrew Bogut, and legendary coach Brian Goorjian all in place to guide him.
For Davis, it’s not just about being a great player – it’s about learning how to be a great leader. That question mark has hovered over him since last season, with rumours of locker room frustrations and clashes off the court.
His talent is undeniable, but the challenge lies in maturity and leadership. If Davis can grow in those areas while maintaining his on-court brilliance, his NBA return is a genuine possibility.
If not, he risks becoming another fringe NBA player who dominates internationally but never fully sticks at the highest level. Either way, watching Davis this season promises to be must-see basketball.
United victorious in Throwdown 29 | 01:11
2 | Dash Daniels | Melbourne United | Guard | 17 YRS
The younger brother of NBA guard Dyson Daniels, Dash arrived in the NBL with plenty of hype and early signs suggest he is more than ready to live up to it.
With a more refined offensive game than his brother at the same stage, Daniels has looked comfortable against seasoned NBL competition, averaging eight points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal per game on an impressive 56 percent shooting through his opening appearances.
Daniels has already become a must-watch for Melbourne United this season. His role has grown quickly, and his impact has made him one of the most important players on a championship-contending roster.
He has the skill set to rival some of the best talents the Next Star program has ever produced, and his all-around game is only going to improve as he adjusts to the pace and physicality of the league. The reality is simple: he is ready for the next step.
Under the guidance of head coach Dean Vickerman and surrounded by one of the deepest rosters in the NBL, Daniels has the tools and environment to accelerate his development. There is every chance he climbs above Karim Lopez in these rankings and in draft projections before season’s end.
Karim Lopez and Dash Daniels.Source: FOX SPORTS
1 | Karim Lopez | New Zealand Breakers | Forward | 18 YRS
Lopez is one of the brightest young talents the NBL has produced. His blend of composure, athleticism, and length make him a must-watch prospect in what is almost certain to be his final season before entering the NBA Draft.
As a rookie, Lopez averaged just under ten points, five rebounds, and over one assist per game while shooting forty-five percent from the field. Despite entering NBL26 under a minor back injury cloud, he has featured in every game this season – some under a minutes restriction – and is posting twelve points, six rebounds, and one-and-a-half assists per game on an efficient forty-eight percent shooting.
At only eighteen years of age, Lopez already looks NBA-ready. With a full season ahead to showcase his potential, his draft stock is expected to rise rapidly. Of all the players on this list, Lopez stands as the number one chance to make the leap to the NBA next season.