from the Telmex-Telcel League to a future NBA player

Karim Lopeza young Mexican basketball player who at his young age He has been in the NBA orbit for 17 years and has been a sensation in our country.His 2.02 meters of height and his remarkable career in the Telmex-Telcel League made him make the jump to the “Old Continent”, where he debuted at the beginning of this year.

In an interview with GRADAthe talented Mexican basketball player offered details about his new adventure in New Zealand with the New Zealand Breakerswhere he aims to be a great promise in Mexican basketball with a future draft in the NBA in 2026.

Prior to his trip to New Zealand, the young tricolor talent said he was very excited to begin this new adventure that will serve him well in the professional field.

“I know I need to improve my skills to adapt to any system. I am quite excited to embark on this new path, I feel quite enthusiastic and eager to start working.”

Impact of Telmex Telcel League

In his first statements, Karim López assured that the Telmex-Telcel Basketball League is a great support for dozens of children and young people throughout Mexicobecause he recognized that stories like his can be made.

“I think the league has a pretty big impact, because in my case, it helped me from a young age to start training, to start competing a little more seriously and to see myself in different tournaments.”

Among his experiences within the largest basketball league in the entire Mexican Republic, he explained that the competition is not only about sports, but also about human development.

“The tournament helped me make friends and meet people from other municipalities and other states in Mexico.”

In this sense, he added that he had visualized this new project in his life as it was a dream that he had been fighting for since he was a child.

“I imagined myself moving forward in my career. I have been working on this for many years, focused on a goal, on an objective, and this is only part of the process, it is part of the path, and my family always helps me keep my feet on the ground.”

New Zealand Election

Speaking about his new path to the other side of the world, Karim López revealed that although he had offers in Europe and in college leagues in the United States, he said that the option of New Zealand was the best in every sense, highlighting the high competitive level.

“There were several options on the table, but I think that in the end, after talking with my family and those around me, we came to the conclusion that New Zealand was the best option for me, it was the best fit for my needs and the best possible path to being able to enter the Draft.”

From his perspective, the Mexican basketball player considered that the level they have in the land of the Kiwis is optimal for their development and will favor their project towards 2026.

Signed by the Breakers | Photo: Courtesy

“It is a very competitive league, New Zealand has a team in the Australian League and This creates a very high level; they are fast, quick. They have a strong American influence, they play a demanding basketball. They have an affiliation with the NBA (Next Star Program) of which I am a part, and it is a very innovative project.”

In this regard, Karim López revealed that New Zealand Breakers had been looking for him since the beginning of this year and had had various contacts to offer his work plan.

“The team had a lot of confidence in me, they approached my parents, they had been looking for me for a while and their good sporting plan where I will have an important role within the team, were reasons to choose them.”

On the other hand, he offered more details about his agenda in these first days working with the New Zealand club and, subsequently, his initial projects in Oceania.

“Once I get established, the preseason will begin with the team, we will be training for our season and then there will be a preparation tour against NBA teams (Utah Jazz, Oklahoma Thunder, Phillies 76ers).”

Mexico’s pre-Olympic tournament, a turning point

Following his outstanding performance at the Puerto Rico Pre-Olympic Games, the young tricolor recognized that his participation with the Mexican National Team was important in his professional development.

“There were definitely learnings because It was my first experience at the highest level playing against professionals. and you learn a lot in these types of competitions. For me it was an unforgettable experience, I took with me many memories and things that I will apply there.”

In this regard, when questioned about his possible role in the generational change of the 12 Warriors, he said he was motivated to take the baton with a new generation of national talents.

“We have a lot of potential to achieve great things in the future, we are well led by the best coach, he has done a great job to start the generational change, he has been exceptional with Gael Bonilla, Víctor Caldés and me. That has helped us a lot to continue improving,” he said.

On the other hand, he acknowledged that there is no pressure, but rather ambition for him and the new generation of basketball players to return to Mexico for the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

“I don’t see it as pressure, but rather as the motivation to be able to achieve something that has not been achieved in many years, some decades. It would be an honour to be able to achieve it. My generation has a clear objective of reaching the Olympic Games, we are going to work to make it possible.”

Approach with NBA

Despite his brilliant start on the court, which has not gone unnoticed by the NBA, Karim López revealed that up to now he has not had direct contact with any team.

“There are scouts who do their job, but you can’t make any kind of formal approach about a possible approach because the draft doesn’t depend on it,” he revealed.

In this regard, the Aztec player stressed that his first objectives are set in New Zealand, thinking about the 2026 draft.

“First and foremost, my goal is to establish myself within the team, have a good first season, improve day by day, continue on a good path to fulfill my dream of reaching the NBA in two years.”

After experts and former Mexican players who played in the NBA gave him a glimpse of a promising future, Karim López assured that this, far from pressuring him, focuses him on continuing to improve.

“For me, it’s not pressure. I feel like it’s an honour to be seen like that and it’s also a motivation for me to keep working and keep trying to exceed expectations.”

On the other hand, he acknowledged that none of the Mexicans who play in the NBA like Jaime Jacquez and Juan Toscano have approached him, but he warned that his desire is to equal and surpass his compatriots.

“Of course, I would like to go far in the NBA and surpass several Mexicans who were there, with my own story.”

Having as role models recognized players such as the Paris 2024 medalist, Lebron James and the unforgettable Kobe Bryant (RIP), Karim López assured that he will work hard to fulfill his dreams.

“I see myself hearing my name in the NBA, being named, joining a team and being able to be a good player who can lift Mexico up.”

Message to the young people of Telmex-Telcel

Finally, before embarking on his adventure in Oceania, the young tricolor left a message for the entire community of the Telmex-Telcel Basketball League.

“The first thing I would tell them is to always have fun, to be happy, to enjoy sport, because in the end that is what is beautiful; especially when you are a child, you have fun. Playing sport serves as a way to distract yourself. They should have ambitions, work hard and with that they will achieve any goal they have,” he concluded.