LAS VEGAS (United States) – Just a few years ago, Karim Lopez was one of Mexico's brightest young prospects, turning heads while representing his country in FIBA youth competitions. Today, at just 19 years old, he is living a very different reality: he is a member of the Memphis Grizzlies after becoming the first player born in Mexico ever selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft. The 6'9" forward was selected by the Detroit Pistons with the 21st overall pick before his rights were traded to Memphis later that night. Lopez spoke with FIBA Americas during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and reflected on the long journey that led him to achieve one of every basketball player's greatest dreams.
"It's what I've worked for my entire life. From that moment (playing for Mexico's youth national teams), I knew I wanted to be here—that this was always the goal. It feels great to see all the hard work pay off," Lopez said. His journey with Mexico's national team began at an early age. In 2022, he helped his country win the bronze medal at the Centrobasket U15 Championship, where he was named to the tournament's All-Star Five. A year later, he confirmed his tremendous potential at the FIBA U16 AmeriCup, leading the tournament in scoring and establishing himself as one of the continent's top prospects.
That rapid development soon earned him a move to Europe with Joventut Badalona before continuing his growth with the New Zealand Breakers as part of the Australian NBL's Next Stars program. There, he continued gaining valuable experience against professional players before taking the final step toward the NBA.
It feels great to see all the hard work pay off."
Beyond his individual accomplishments, Lopez emphasized how proud he is to represent Mexico on basketball's biggest stages. "It's an incredible honor, honestly. To always represent my country and my culture. To carry them with me wherever I go. It's an amazing feeling. And it's also special to represent the entire Latino community, especially in the NBA. Even though there are more and more of us, there still aren't many Latino players," he said.
The support of his family has also been a fundamental part of his journey. The son of former Mexican national team player, Jesus "Chino" Lopez, the young forward highlighted the unwavering support he has received since his first steps in basketball. "My family has always been there for me. They've always supported the decisions I've made, and they've also helped me make those decisions. I've always had a close circle of people I can lean on. They've been with me no matter whether I've gone to one side of the world or the other. They've always encouraged me to chase my dream," he said.
Lopez also spoke about the growth of international basketball, a trend he believes benefits both the NBA and FIBA competitions. "Players are coming from more and more countries, and that's only good for the league, for the players and for the countries themselves. The level of competition is getting better, both in FIBA tournaments and in the NBA. I believe that growth will continue over the next few years," he added. At only 19 years old, Karim Lopez has already made history for Mexican basketball. Yet, for him, this is only the beginning. Before wrapping up the interview, he shared a message for the next generation of players who, like he once did, dream of reaching the highest level.
"I'd tell them that if they want something and they have a dream, they should chase it. It doesn't matter what anyone says. If you believe in something and you're willing to put in the hard work and dedication, I'm convinced you can achieve it, no matter who you are!” Following his Summer League experience, Lopez is now preparing for his rookie season in the world's top basketball league, eager to continue making Mexico proud.
FIBA