Over the past half-decade, the NBA's draft system and pathways to the league have been completely disrupted thanks to the introduction of the NBL's Next Stars program.
While once playing in the American college system was considered the only way to get on the radar of NBA scouts, the NBL's system has changed the game, and has been consistently producing lottery-pick level talent, from LaMelo Ball and Josh Giddey, to this year with Alex Sarr.
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At the helm of the program these days is Liam Santamaria, the former NBL player-turned journalist is now the General Manager of Next Star recruitment, and has put on a show in his first season in charge, bringing out a whole host of top-tier talent.
On Sporting News' podcast Just Bricks, Santamaria spoke about how the Next Stars program has changed basketball, and how this year's players may be the best yet.
The Next Stars program supercharged Australian basketball
Despite being one of Australia's most exciting leagues, the NBL and Australian basketball has consistently taken a back seat to the country's more dominant codes, struggling to fill its rosters with marketable talent.
According to Santamaria, the introduction of the Next Stars program not only helped the players in being noticed, but it introduced some true star power to the league, helping it to realise its potential.
"A big reason why the Next Stars program exists is to try to create international interest in the league, for sure," Santamaria told Just Bricks.
"Because, you know, as a league, I think one of the things that we want to do is like tap into the commercial opportunities that exist around the globe, right?
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"This is such a competitive sporting landscape here in Australia, and you've got some behemoths in play in Aussie Rules football and rugby and the like.
"Everybody likes to watch prospects and see them build up to become stars of the NBA. So LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey, some of those guys come through - we've got a guy in the league right now who is in the conversation to be the number one pick overall in next year's NBA draft, that's really cool to have as part of our league."
The success of the Next Stars over time
One of the most significant parts of the success of the Next Stars program over the past five years was its ability to attract even more name-brand talent.
Santamaria in particular spoke about the league signing potential first-overall pick Alex Sarr, and how this would not have been possible without the proven track record of other players from the system.
"When we're trying to kind of talk to the next batch of players, the history of player development and success that exists within the program is really important," he said.
"It was helpful for Josh Giddey to see that LaMelo Ball had been successful through this pathway, it was helpful for guys following those guys to see what they'd done, and I think it's helpful for this next class of guys that we're talking to, to see what's happening with Alex Sarr and Bobi Klintman and Alex Toohey and all these type of guys around the league right now.
"Our teams are trying to win games and win championships, so it's about trying to thread the eye of the needle of bringing in an Alex [Sarr] or a Bobi Klintman or an Alex Toohey, or what I think over the next couple of months is going to be the case with Trentyn Flowers and AJ Johnson, guys that have that right level of talent but can also get out there on the floor, play minutes."
How Liam Santamaria makes the Next Stars program shine
Since becoming the GM of the Next Stars, Liam Santamaria has seen incredible success, bringing over mutliple lottery talent-level players, including possible first pick in the 2024 NBA draft Alex Sarr.
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According to him, the way he has found that success has been through key collaborative efforts, as well as extensive scouting across all levels of the sport.
"The way I kind of look at it is, I'm kind of like an assistant GM for every team, right? Like every team has their key decision-makers building their roster, and I'm sort of putting my hand up, say, 'Hey, I can help'," he said.
"I can help you to find a player that can help your team moving forward and help your organization, so let's work together."
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