There has been a lot of hype surrounding the 2026 NBA draft class with prospects being just 17 or 18 years old. While Carmelo Anthony‘s son Kiyan Anthony carves his own path to the NBA, another star— a promising prospect for the 2026 draft class— received high praise from the 6’8″ NBA legend. Just last year, Melo became the global ambassador for the Australian NBL’s Next Stars program. He has been deftly handling work for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the NBL. Through this program, he has come across several spectacular talents who have the potential to shake up the NBA in the future. 

One such star he met through the NBL is 17-year-old Mexican Karim Lopez. During an event, Melo candidly shared the impact that Lopez is making when asked by the host. “He’s representing a whole country, and at 17 years old, and having an opportunity to kind of change many narratives coming from that part of the world. And for him to be able to do that, but also take his talent to the next stars in the NBL, to be able to develop, what he’s able to do is create a whole other pipeline that I don’t even think he understands, the pipeline that he’s actually created from Mexico to Australia, right?”

He added, “So for me to be able to see a 17-year-old kid that actually is going through the process, at 17, I was a senior in high school. I was, you know, we was running around. I was just trying to be a teenage kid. I was just trying to figure it out. With him, he’s thinking professional. He’s a professional athlete at 17 years old.

Like every player, Lopez dreams of playing in the NBA. If he is able to do so, he will become the second Mexican native to be drafted in the first round of the NBA draft after Eduardo Nájera. Hailing from a basketball family, he said, “I always believed in myself. It’s always been my dream to be an NBA player.” 

“Ever since I was a very young kid, I just thought I should really pursue my dreams and really work hard. I can really be a good basketball player. I still have a really long way to go, but I’m just working hard every day,” he told Andscape. Before taking his talents to the NBA, he will be playing for the New Zealand Breakers for 2 years. Melo’s son, who is the same age as Lopez, has also been working hard to elevate his game.

After being named the top recruit in New York, he has put in the effort to showcase an incredible performance in his senior year. However, due to a minor injury, he had to miss a month of games as well as the golden chance to play in the McDonald’s All-American tournament. But he is not falling behind. 

As per the 2025 ESPN 100 rankings, he is the No. 36 prospect and a four-star recruit. Kiyan is expected to be in the same draft class, adding even more to the hype. As of now, his focus remains on leading his father’s alma mater, Syracuse Orange. At the same time, the 10 X NBA All-Star too has an aspiration.

Is Carmelo Anthony eyeing team ownership? 

After his retirement, Carmelo Anthony shifted his focus toward business. However, the former NBA player never left the game. He wanted to be involved with the sport in a way that allowed him to contribute to its development. The NBL’s Next Stars program has a similar aim.

And apart from that, Melo also has high hopes for this initiative. The NBL has plans to add an expansion team focusing on Southeast Asia and other regions. While details are not yet known on the project, Melo may be interested in investing in the NBL expansion team. He has been vocal about his interests. “My door is open when it comes to ownership. I do want to own a team. I would want to own an organization,” he said, adding, “That’s my North Star right there,” the New York Knicks legend told Complex.

Melo isn’t the only one. Former NBA player Kenny Smith is also among those who could join in. Smith was named the head of the Next Stars Players Initiatives in North America. The Next Stars program has become one of the most sought-after platforms for top-tier talent. One of its standout products is the 2021 Rookie of the Year, LaMelo Ball. Melo’s words hint that hopes are high for Lopez!