NBA draft prospects · NBL27

NBL Next Stars tracker

Next Stars is the NBL's program for NBA draft prospects: a professional season in Australia or New Zealand instead of college. Here is every game of this season's Next Stars, updated as they play, and how they compare with the players who came before them.

South East Melbourne Phoenix

Dash Daniels

G · 196 cm · 18 years old · Australia

Eligible for the 2027 NBA Draft

NBL27 · 8 games

23:13 min a game

12.6

PTS

5.3

REB

2.0

AST

0.9

STL

0.1

BLK

FG%: 50.6%
3P%: 35.3%
FT%: 57.9%
TS%: 59.2%

Per 36 minutes: 19.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists.

Latest games

A second Next Stars season, after 2025–26 with Melbourne United. The younger brother of NBA guard Dyson Daniels.

Full stats Compare

Cairns Taipans

Luke Paul

G · 198 cm · 17 years old · Australia

Eligible from the 2028 NBA Draft

NBL27 · 3 games

12:34 min a game

2.7

PTS

0.7

REB

1.7

AST

0.7

STL

0.0

BLK

FG%: 40.0%
3P%: 0.0%
FT%: –
TS%: 40.0%

Per 36 minutes: 7.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists.

Latest games

The youngest player ever to sign a Next Stars contract, joining the Taipans from the Centre of Excellence.

Full stats Compare

Draft eligibility follows the NBA's age rule for international players: a prospect can be picked from the calendar year they turn 19.

Next Stars through the years

Per game, in their Next Stars seasons

NBL Next Stars, per-game averages in their Next Stars seasons
Player	Season	Club	GP	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	FG%	3P%	TS%
Dash Daniels	2026–27Now	SEM	8	23:13	12.6	5.3	2.0	0.9	0.1	50.6%	35.3%	59.2%
Luke Paul	2026–27Now	CNS	3	12:34	2.7	0.7	1.7	0.7	0.0	40.0%	0.0%	40.0%
Dash Daniels	2025–26	MEL	35	14:20	4.1	2.4	0.9	0.7	0.3	41.6%	36.0%	47.7%
Karim LopezNo. 21 pick, 2026	2025–26	NZL	31	25:45	11.9	6.1	2.0	1.2	1.0	50.2%	32.6%	59.0%
Malique LewisNo. 60 pick, 2026	2025–26	SEM	29	21:02	6.9	4.3	2.0	1.2	0.7	45.5%	37.6%	57.2%
Noa Kouakou-Heugue	2025–26	PER	17	4:06	1.6	1.0	0.1	0.1	0.0	61.1%	0.0%	60.3%
Alex Toohey	2024–25	SYD	30	22:56	10.5	3.9	1.3	1.5	0.8	45.2%	30.2%	54.6%
Izan Almansa	2024–25	PER	33	15:47	6.8	3.9	0.7	0.4	0.3	51.1%	33.3%	53.9%
Karim LopezNo. 21 pick, 2026	2024–25	NZL	25	22:53	9.6	4.7	1.2	0.6	0.9	45.7%	30.8%	57.3%
Malique LewisNo. 60 pick, 2026	2024–25	SEM	34	20:58	6.8	4.1	1.0	0.4	0.5	42.6%	31.6%	53.6%
Rocco Zikarsky	2024–25	BRI	18	11:50	4.6	3.4	0.3	0.3	0.6	52.4%	20.0%	55.1%
AJ JohnsonFirst round, 2024	2023–24	ILL	26	7:44	2.8	1.3	0.7	0.2	0.1	36.7%	30.0%	43.7%
Alex Toohey	2023–24	SYD	29	21:29	8.0	4.0	0.8	0.5	0.5	44.3%	25.4%	53.2%
Alexandre SarrNo. 2 pick, 2024	2023–24	PER	27	17:16	9.4	4.3	0.9	0.4	1.5	51.6%	28.6%	58.9%
Ariel Hukporti	2023–24	MEL	36	17:45	7.9	7.1	0.8	0.5	1.5	57.6%	–	60.1%
Bobi Klintman	2023–24	CNS	23	21:18	9.7	4.8	0.7	0.8	0.5	44.3%	35.7%	58.2%
Mantas Rubštavičius	2023–24	NZL	25	19:45	9.4	2.1	1.2	0.8	0.1	51.7%	42.5%	67.1%
Rocco Zikarsky	2023–24	BRI	27	6:59	3.2	2.1	0.1	0.1	1.0	59.7%	0.0%	59.2%
Trentyn Flowers	2023–24	ADL	18	12:43	5.2	2.9	0.4	0.3	0.1	45.8%	42.1%	54.3%
Rayan Rupert	2022–23	NZL	28	17:09	5.9	2.1	0.9	0.7	0.2	35.0%	23.4%	45.1%
Justinian Jessup	2021–22	ILL	30	31:54	13.3	3.9	1.6	1.1	0.5	44.1%	35.8%	55.2%
Makur Maker	2021–22	SYD	21	15:49	7.7	5.3	0.7	0.3	0.3	45.2%	34.1%	60.5%
Mojave King	2021–22	ADL	26	9:59	3.7	1.1	0.9	0.3	0.2	37.0%	34.0%	47.5%
Nikita Mikhailovskii	2021–22	TAS	2	3:14	1.0	0.0	0.5	0.5	0.0	50.0%	0.0%	50.0%
Ousmane DiengNo. 11 pick, 2022	2021–22	NZL	23	20:48	8.9	3.2	1.1	0.6	0.3	39.8%	27.1%	47.9%
Tom Digbeu	2021–22	BRI	19	12:18	4.6	1.5	1.1	0.4	0.3	46.0%	38.5%	56.1%
Didi Louzada	2020–21	SYD	20	24:08	8.8	3.5	1.9	0.7	0.3	38.9%	26.4%	47.0%
Josh GiddeyNo. 6 pick, 2021	2020–21	ADL	28	32:09	10.8	7.3	7.4	1.1	0.5	42.5%	29.3%	51.0%
Justinian Jessup	2020–21	ILL	38	30:57	13.2	3.6	1.7	1.2	0.6	42.0%	34.1%	51.6%
Mojave King	2020–21	CNS	30	16:34	6.2	2.5	0.5	0.3	0.2	38.7%	33.0%	50.3%
Didi Louzada	2019–20	SYD	26	22:14	9.8	3.5	1.7	0.6	0.3	39.9%	33.1%	50.3%
LaMelo BallNo. 3 pick, 2020	2019–20	ILL	12	31:13	17.0	7.5	7.0	1.7	0.1	37.3%	24.4%	46.0%
RJ HamptonFirst round, 2020	2019–20	NZL	15	20:37	8.8	3.8	2.5	1.1	0.3	40.0%	29.5%	48.1%
Terry Armstrong	2019–20	SEM	8	2:14	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.0%	0.0%	34.7%
Brian Bowen	2018–19	SYD	30	15:22	6.3	3.2	0.6	0.2	0.3	45.4%	34.2%	56.0%

NBL regular season and finals. Draft results are shown where confirmed. Past seasons come from the NBL's game-by-game records.

Next Stars FAQ

Who are the NBL Next Stars in 2026–27?

Dash Daniels (South East Melbourne Phoenix) and Luke Paul (Cairns Taipans). Dash Daniels is averaging 12.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 8 games. Luke Paul is averaging 2.7 points, 0.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 3 games.

How old are this season's Next Stars?

Dash Daniels was born on 18 December 2007, so is 18; eligible for the 2027 NBA Draft. Luke Paul was born on 20 February 2009, so is 17; eligible from the 2028 NBA Draft.

What is the NBL Next Stars program?

Next Stars is the NBL's program for young NBA draft prospects. Instead of a season of US college basketball, a prospect signs with an NBL club and plays a professional season against grown men, with NBA scouts at games all year. Next Stars spots sit alongside a club's regular import places.

Which Next Stars have been drafted into the NBA?

Draft picks from the program include LaMelo Ball (No. 3 pick, 2020), RJ Hampton (First round, 2020), Josh Giddey (No. 6 pick, 2021), Ousmane Dieng (No. 11 pick, 2022), Alexandre Sarr (No. 2 pick, 2024), AJ Johnson (First round, 2024), Karim Lopez (No. 21 pick, 2026) and Malique Lewis (No. 60 pick, 2026).

How the program works: NBL Next Stars explained.

NBL Next Stars tracker

South East Melbourne Phoenix

Dash Daniels

G · 196 cm · 18 years old · Australia

Eligible for the 2027 NBA Draft

NBL27 · 8 games

23:13 min a game

12.6

PTS

5.3

REB

2.0

AST

0.9

STL

0.1

BLK

FG%: 50.6%
3P%: 35.3%
FT%: 57.9%
TS%: 59.2%

Per 36 minutes: 19.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists.

Latest games

A second Next Stars season, after 2025–26 with Melbourne United. The younger brother of NBA guard Dyson Daniels.

Full stats Compare

Cairns Taipans

Luke Paul

G · 198 cm · 17 years old · Australia

Eligible from the 2028 NBA Draft

NBL27 · 3 games

12:34 min a game

2.7

PTS

0.7

REB

1.7

AST

0.7

STL

0.0

BLK

FG%: 40.0%
3P%: 0.0%
FT%: –
TS%: 40.0%

Per 36 minutes: 7.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists.

Latest games

The youngest player ever to sign a Next Stars contract, joining the Taipans from the Centre of Excellence.

Full stats Compare

Draft eligibility follows the NBA's age rule for international players: a prospect can be picked from the calendar year they turn 19.

Next Stars through the years

Per game, in their Next Stars seasons

NBL Next Stars, per-game averages in their Next Stars seasons
Player	Season	Club	GP	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	FG%	3P%	TS%
Dash Daniels	2026–27Now	SEM	8	23:13	12.6	5.3	2.0	0.9	0.1	50.6%	35.3%	59.2%
Luke Paul	2026–27Now	CNS	3	12:34	2.7	0.7	1.7	0.7	0.0	40.0%	0.0%	40.0%
Dash Daniels	2025–26	MEL	35	14:20	4.1	2.4	0.9	0.7	0.3	41.6%	36.0%	47.7%
Karim LopezNo. 21 pick, 2026	2025–26	NZL	31	25:45	11.9	6.1	2.0	1.2	1.0	50.2%	32.6%	59.0%
Malique LewisNo. 60 pick, 2026	2025–26	SEM	29	21:02	6.9	4.3	2.0	1.2	0.7	45.5%	37.6%	57.2%
Noa Kouakou-Heugue	2025–26	PER	17	4:06	1.6	1.0	0.1	0.1	0.0	61.1%	0.0%	60.3%
Alex Toohey	2024–25	SYD	30	22:56	10.5	3.9	1.3	1.5	0.8	45.2%	30.2%	54.6%
Izan Almansa	2024–25	PER	33	15:47	6.8	3.9	0.7	0.4	0.3	51.1%	33.3%	53.9%
Karim LopezNo. 21 pick, 2026	2024–25	NZL	25	22:53	9.6	4.7	1.2	0.6	0.9	45.7%	30.8%	57.3%
Malique LewisNo. 60 pick, 2026	2024–25	SEM	34	20:58	6.8	4.1	1.0	0.4	0.5	42.6%	31.6%	53.6%
Rocco Zikarsky	2024–25	BRI	18	11:50	4.6	3.4	0.3	0.3	0.6	52.4%	20.0%	55.1%
AJ JohnsonFirst round, 2024	2023–24	ILL	26	7:44	2.8	1.3	0.7	0.2	0.1	36.7%	30.0%	43.7%
Alex Toohey	2023–24	SYD	29	21:29	8.0	4.0	0.8	0.5	0.5	44.3%	25.4%	53.2%
Alexandre SarrNo. 2 pick, 2024	2023–24	PER	27	17:16	9.4	4.3	0.9	0.4	1.5	51.6%	28.6%	58.9%
Ariel Hukporti	2023–24	MEL	36	17:45	7.9	7.1	0.8	0.5	1.5	57.6%	–	60.1%
Bobi Klintman	2023–24	CNS	23	21:18	9.7	4.8	0.7	0.8	0.5	44.3%	35.7%	58.2%
Mantas Rubštavičius	2023–24	NZL	25	19:45	9.4	2.1	1.2	0.8	0.1	51.7%	42.5%	67.1%
Rocco Zikarsky	2023–24	BRI	27	6:59	3.2	2.1	0.1	0.1	1.0	59.7%	0.0%	59.2%
Trentyn Flowers	2023–24	ADL	18	12:43	5.2	2.9	0.4	0.3	0.1	45.8%	42.1%	54.3%
Rayan Rupert	2022–23	NZL	28	17:09	5.9	2.1	0.9	0.7	0.2	35.0%	23.4%	45.1%
Justinian Jessup	2021–22	ILL	30	31:54	13.3	3.9	1.6	1.1	0.5	44.1%	35.8%	55.2%
Makur Maker	2021–22	SYD	21	15:49	7.7	5.3	0.7	0.3	0.3	45.2%	34.1%	60.5%
Mojave King	2021–22	ADL	26	9:59	3.7	1.1	0.9	0.3	0.2	37.0%	34.0%	47.5%
Nikita Mikhailovskii	2021–22	TAS	2	3:14	1.0	0.0	0.5	0.5	0.0	50.0%	0.0%	50.0%
Ousmane DiengNo. 11 pick, 2022	2021–22	NZL	23	20:48	8.9	3.2	1.1	0.6	0.3	39.8%	27.1%	47.9%
Tom Digbeu	2021–22	BRI	19	12:18	4.6	1.5	1.1	0.4	0.3	46.0%	38.5%	56.1%
Didi Louzada	2020–21	SYD	20	24:08	8.8	3.5	1.9	0.7	0.3	38.9%	26.4%	47.0%
Josh GiddeyNo. 6 pick, 2021	2020–21	ADL	28	32:09	10.8	7.3	7.4	1.1	0.5	42.5%	29.3%	51.0%
Justinian Jessup	2020–21	ILL	38	30:57	13.2	3.6	1.7	1.2	0.6	42.0%	34.1%	51.6%
Mojave King	2020–21	CNS	30	16:34	6.2	2.5	0.5	0.3	0.2	38.7%	33.0%	50.3%
Didi Louzada	2019–20	SYD	26	22:14	9.8	3.5	1.7	0.6	0.3	39.9%	33.1%	50.3%
LaMelo BallNo. 3 pick, 2020	2019–20	ILL	12	31:13	17.0	7.5	7.0	1.7	0.1	37.3%	24.4%	46.0%
RJ HamptonFirst round, 2020	2019–20	NZL	15	20:37	8.8	3.8	2.5	1.1	0.3	40.0%	29.5%	48.1%
Terry Armstrong	2019–20	SEM	8	2:14	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.0%	0.0%	34.7%
Brian Bowen	2018–19	SYD	30	15:22	6.3	3.2	0.6	0.2	0.3	45.4%	34.2%	56.0%

NBL regular season and finals. Draft results are shown where confirmed. Past seasons come from the NBL's game-by-game records.

Next Stars FAQ

Who are the NBL Next Stars in 2026–27?

How old are this season's Next Stars?

Dash Daniels was born on 18 December 2007, so is 18; eligible for the 2027 NBA Draft. Luke Paul was born on 20 February 2009, so is 17; eligible from the 2028 NBA Draft.

What is the NBL Next Stars program?

Which Next Stars have been drafted into the NBA?

How the program works: NBL Next Stars explained.