Karim Lopez, Mexico (2026)

Chuck Everett · Post #1 » by **Chuck Everett** » Sat Oct 5, 2024 4:56 pm

So last night, this seventeen year old was kicking Utah's ass in a preseason game. Apparently, he's looking like a top selection for 2026. I only saw the highlights of his performance, but he looked really natural with the ball. 6'8 point forward type. Anybody here have any thoughts? We're still a year away from the noise raising about him, but looks like they're just engineering Magic/Luka types in a lab now around the world.

He's in the NBL next stars program playing for the Breakers.

Read on Twitter

Catchall · Post #2 » by **Catchall** » Mon Oct 7, 2024 4:12 am

He's smooth with the ball, has good balance and body control, looks to be a pretty legit 6'8" or 6'9". He can handle and pass, though I wouldn't say he's an initiator at this stage. Some defensive versatility and good reactions. He'll probably guard 3s and 4s, I'd guess. He has a nice compact shooting stroke and confidence from 3, though he missed a ton of FTs. He's decently athletic, but not explosive.

He might remind me a bit of Avdija, though he might be a bit more aggressive attacking and getting downhill.

Post #3 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sun Jan 26, 2025 6:41 pm

Read on Twitter

babyjax13 · Post #4 » by **babyjax13** » Thu Jan 30, 2025 3:15 am

2026 looks awesome

Chuck Everett · Post #5 » by **Chuck Everett** » Sat Nov 1, 2025 8:11 am

This guy has a chance to push the top 3 and I'd be pretty surprised if he doesn't go top 5.

babyjax13 · Post #6 » by **babyjax13** » Sun Nov 2, 2025 6:52 pm

Chuck Everett wrote:This guy has a chance to push the top 3 and I'd be pretty surprised if he doesn't go top 5.

Idk, the top of this draft is insane. I could see Lopez top-5, but he is competing with Ament (who looks rough so far, shot selection needs work) and Wilson (plus some other guys, too, maybe Brown, Cenac, or Yessefou).

Chuck Everett · Post #7 » by **Chuck Everett** » Sun Nov 2, 2025 9:34 pm

babyjax13 wrote:
Chuck Everett wrote:This guy has a chance to push the top 3 and I'd be pretty surprised if he doesn't go top 5.

Idk, the top of this draft is insane. I could see Lopez top-5, but he is competing with Ament (who looks rough so far, shot selection needs work) and Wilson (plus some other guys, too, maybe Brown, Cenac, or Yessefou).

All quality guys, no doubt. Spring workouts will separate the wheat from the chaff.

Caneman786 · Post #8 » by **Caneman786** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 12:31 am

Chuck Everett wrote:
babyjax13 wrote:
Chuck Everett wrote:This guy has a chance to push the top 3 and I'd be pretty surprised if he doesn't go top 5.

Idk, the top of this draft is insane. I could see Lopez top-5, but he is competing with Ament (who looks rough so far, shot selection needs work) and Wilson (plus some other guys, too, maybe Brown, Cenac, or Yessefou).

All quality guys, no doubt. Spring workouts will separate the wheat from the chaff.

Will they though? I'm not too convinced that workouts outweigh real 5-on-5 game-play, even when teams are watching them.

Chuck Everett wrote:This guy has a chance to push the top 3 and I'd be pretty surprised if he doesn't go top 5.

On a separate note, what stands out to you about Lopez?

Chuck Everett · Post #9 » by **Chuck Everett** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 9:46 am

Caneman786 wrote:
Chuck Everett wrote:
babyjax13 wrote:Idk, the top of this draft is insane. I could see Lopez top-5, but he is competing with Ament (who looks rough so far, shot selection needs work) and Wilson (plus some other guys, too, maybe Brown, Cenac, or Yessefou).

All quality guys, no doubt. Spring workouts will separate the wheat from the chaff.

Will they though? I'm not too convinced that workouts outweigh real 5-on-5 game-play, even when teams are watching them.

Chuck Everett wrote:This guy has a chance to push the top 3 and I'd be pretty surprised if he doesn't go top 5.

On a separate note, what stands out to you about Lopez?

So two things.

Workouts absolutely matter when the players are considered to be close on a big board. Edgecombe's workouts were drawing rave reviews and gave Philly no choice but to take him even though they already had Maxey and McCain.

As for Lopez, the guy is a solid/sturdy 6'8, with long arms, handles, athleticism and size. He can get to his spots with the dribble and has no problem playing inside or out. He looks very comfortable even against more experienced/stronger players. Ever since I saw him play an exhibition against the Jazz at 17, I realized this dude plays like Doncic. The only difference aside from Doncic's savant like IQ is Lopez is a good athlete too.

Guy turns the corner and he'll dunk in your face. I like Egor Denim a lot, but Lopez is a better version of him and seems like another in a long line of franchise leading swingmen.

But he's in NBL, so we're not going to hear much about him except from Aussie posters. Same with Dash Daniels. But come spring, Lopez will get in workouts and the talks will start. I've seen mocks that have him in the teens and 20's. Nope. Top 5 all day.

vincecarter4pres · Post #10 » by **vincecarter4pres** » Thu Feb 26, 2026 3:18 pm

So how are we feeling about him now?

Haven’t been able to watch anything other than highlights thus far, but he looks impressive.

As others in here have said, feel like he’s a top 10 lock if his combine and workouts go good and can go much higher with some of the top prospects floundering.

But I’m not basing this off actually watching him.

Caneman786 · Post #11 » by **Caneman786** » Mon Mar 23, 2026 6:04 pm

Karim Lopez declares for the draft.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48288669/mexican-prospect-karim-lopez-declares-nba-draft

Upperclass · Post #12 » by **Upperclass** » Mon Mar 23, 2026 6:39 pm

Plays like Wilson Chandler

King Ken · Post #13 » by **King Ken** » Tue Mar 24, 2026 3:00 pm

I have him as a tier 3.5 guy with Ament and others.

King Ken · Post #14 » by **King Ken** » Tue Mar 24, 2026 3:01 pm

Upperclass wrote:Plays like Wilson Chandler

He's a lot more skilled than Wilson was. Like A LOT!

RipCity71252 · Post #15 » by **RipCity71252** » Tue Mar 24, 2026 3:36 pm

Need to watch more, but first blush he reminds me most of Jalen Johnson.

In the only full game I watched the defense looked pretty far behind the offense. Seemed to always be a beat or two late in rotation and got lost completely a couple times.

He definitely feels like a lottery level guy strictly based on the skill and fluidity at that size being rare enough.

Upperclass · Post #16 » by **Upperclass** » Tue Mar 24, 2026 3:49 pm

King Ken wrote:
Upperclass wrote:Plays like Wilson Chandler

He's a lot more skilled than Wilson was. Like A LOT!

I would doubt that actually.. Chandler was able to score all over the court, grab a few boards, throw assists, catch oops, play defense etc. He was like a less talented Shawn Marion which is what Lopez also seems similar to

BlazersBroncos · Post #17 » by **BlazersBroncos** » Tue Mar 24, 2026 4:30 pm

I really like him. This draft is odd. Top-4 is insane. Then its a ton of small guards and Ament basically.

Lopez moving up draft boards makes sense. Not all the teams in the 5-12 range will want a guard. The F and big talent is deep (So many great developmental bigs IMO) but not many guys who seperate themselves. Lopez can be one of those risers.

King Ken · Post #18 » by **King Ken** » Tue Mar 24, 2026 5:47 pm

Upperclass wrote:
King Ken wrote:
Upperclass wrote:Plays like Wilson Chandler

He's a lot more skilled than Wilson was. Like A LOT!

I would doubt that actually.. Chandler was able to score all over the court, grab a few boards, throw assists, catch oops, play defense etc. He was like a less talented Shawn Marion which is what Lopez also seems similar to

I was a big Wilson Chandler fan. This kid is a lot more skilled

esvl · Post #19 » by **esvl** » Tue Apr 21, 2026 4:05 pm

Giannis vibes

Chuck Everett · Post #20 » by **Chuck Everett** » Mon May 11, 2026 9:14 pm

Now that we see the measurements, this kid is damn near 6'10 in shoes, but moves like a wing. One of the youngest players in the draft, I believe the mocks got him all wrong. Someone is going to take him in the top 10, hoping it's Brooklyn. They can find guards in free agency.