NBL Next Stars Spotlight: Alex Toohey, Lachlan Olbrich, Rocco Zikarsky, & Karim Lopez

In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael Barlowe and Richard Stayman break down some of the most exciting NBL prospects in the Next Star Program, with a focus on Alex Toohey, Lachlan Olbrich, Rocco Zikarsky, and Karim Lopez. They dive into Alex Toohey’s decision to stay home with the Sydney Kings for his second NBL season, bypassing his Gonzaga commitment, and highlight his potential as a versatile wing with an eye on the 2025 NBA Draft. Olbrich’s breakout season in the NZ NBL, where he won MVP and Grand Final MVP, is a key talking point, as they explore his potential to make a significant impact with the Illawarra Hawks and elevate his NBA draft stock. Barlowe and Stayman also discuss Rocco Zikarsky, the 7'3" Queenslander with remarkable rim protection and lob-catching ability, emphasizing how his second season with the Brisbane Bullets will be crucial for his long-term NBA aspirations. The episode closes with a spotlight on Karim Lopez, the youngest of the bunch, who arrives at the New Zealand Breakers with enormous potential. They touch on his international experience playing in Spain and representing Mexico, suggesting that while Lopez may be a longer-term project, he could follow in the footsteps of past Breakers Next Stars like RJ Hampton and Ousmane Dieng. NBA Draft analyst Rafael Barlowe from NBA Draft Junkies and current author of the NBA Big Board newsletter is joined by Richard Stayman (@MavsDraft), James Barlowe, and Leif Thulin to breakdown the NBA Draft. Rafael & Team gives passionate NBA Draft fans a deep look into the NBA Draft with great guests, Mock Draft, player rankings, and of course BIG BOARDs. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LONBABigBoard?sid=YouTube Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnNBA #NBADraft #NBA #NBAMockDraft #MockDraft #NBABigBoard #NBACombine