Strengths: Good Frame, Shooting, Versatility, Passing, Rebounding, Off ball movement,

Weaknesses: Defense, Awareness, Handling, Shooting Mechanics,

Draft Range/15-20, Role/Stretch F, Ceiling/All NBA, Floor/Out of League, Expectation/Starter, Position/F

Pros:

1. Bouncy,

2. Good Shooter off the Catch

3. Defensive potential

4. Great at getting to the rim, with sudden counters and spins

5. Great rebounding playing against professional comp in NZ

6. Great Potential to be a Jack Of All Trades 3&D Wing-Forward (Potentially adds Mexican viewers to the team that drafts him)

Cons:

1. Incredibly Raw, would be unsurprising if he busted.

2. Not a great defender right now

3. Hasn't Shown any self creation

4. Playing as an average role player for the NZ Breakers

5. Lacks burst and foot speed

Pro Comp: Shifty 3&D Deni Avdija, Better Gui Santos

Ceiling: Starter on a championship team Floor: Bench warmer, defense guy

Best Team Fits: Trailblazers, Warriors, Grizzlies, Thunder(Stash/G) Calling Card: Driving, 3&D (Jack of All Trades)

Tough two-way wing STRENGTHS

• Long and athletic - has excellent bounce

• Plays with efficiency and maturity

• Strong for his size - can shrug off contact when attacking the rim and finishes well

• Versatile and high-effort defender on the inside and the perimeter - excellent in help situations

• Reads offenses well

• Solid mid-range shooter

• Will be one of the youngest players available in the draft

WEAKNESSES

• Inefficient from the perimeter

• Can play robotically at times

• Handling skills are raw and look awkward at times

• Must improve shot efficiency and shot selection

PLAYS LIKE: A less athletic Ausar Thompson

RANGE: Late Lottery/Mid-1st

1- SF- S: a lot of two way potential, rebounds, he stays focus on the defensive end (his assignment), not afraid to pass the rock, can shoot the 3

W: have to be better with his fouling, handles have to get tighter to have better shot creation

There won't be as much international hype in the draft cycle as we are used to in years past. It looks like we will only have one first rounder coming from overseas this year and that will be Karim Lopez. Lopez is a lock for the first round and has a decent shot of being a lottery pick even. At 6'8 225lbs, Lopez has great size as a fluid forward and has really impressed with a few big games in January. His physicality as his age and size really sets him apart from most his age at his position. He may lack some of the shooting skills but his development in that area paired with his ability to create and make plays for himself off the dribble will be hard to ignore for a lot of scouts. He has been exposed to professional talent at a young age but that will always come with the asterisk of being in overseas leagues of very different styles than the NBA. There is an argument that the 5 best players in the entire NBA are all foreign born at the moment; NBA teams are only going to continue to chase the next great international player so Lopez will likely see a boost in his stock for that reason, if nothing else.

NBA Comp: Franz Wagner

Lopez is in my opinion the 2nd best defender in the draft. Lopez is a great rim protector constantly getting blocks without fouling. He is a great perimeter defender too being able to stay with the best of guards in Oceania. I do believe Lopez has the potential to guard 1-5. His offense however needs work He can shoot catch & shoot 3s which is why he's shooting around 34%. He needs to learn to create shots. He is a good slasher but will this translate to the NBA? The only thing for sure that will translate is his defense. Recap: He is a raw prospect if he has the right coaching staff he will be a stud for years to come.

Ceiling: ? Floor: Jarred Vanderbilt

Strengths: Great rim protector Great Perimeter defender Has a nice catch and shoot game.

Weaknesses: Lack of offensive game Lack of bag work Not good at creating his own shots has to rely on others to create for him

at best Franz Wagner

great size and good on ball defender great off ball scorer has shown creation potential

still raw shooter and ball handler though seems capable of both