Karim López arrives in the NBA: selected by the Pistons, transferred to the Grizzlies
Karim López becomes the third player born in Mexico to reach the NBA
Karim López made history for Mexican basketball by officially becoming a new NBA player after being selected by the Detroit Pistons with the 21st pick in the 2026 Draft, although he will play for the Memphis Grizzlies after a transfer. At 19 years old, the Mexican forward made the most important leap of his career and will begin his journey in the most demanding league in the world.
The player began his international development from a very young age. At the age of 14 he left Mexico to continue his training in Spain within the Joventut de Badalona environment and later played for other Catalan teams before continuing his professional growth with the New Zealand Breakers.
López's arrival at the Draft raises expectations about the meaning of his selection for Mexican basketball, being the first to reach the best league in the world with a first-round selection.
The Grizzlies, their new home, are in a rebuilding process in which they are expected to get rid of their star, Ja Morant, after several years of irregularities on and off the court.
AJ Dybantsa, number 1 of his generation
With the first pick of this Draft, the Washington Wizards did not hesitate to select forward AJ Dybantsa as their next prospect, arriving from BYU, to join players like Anthony Davis and Anthony Young in the nation's capital.
For his part, Darryn Peterson, guard from Kansas, was selected in position 2 by the Utah Jazz. Cameron Boozer, forward son of former player Carlos Boozer, completed the Top 3 when he was chosen by the Memphis Grizzlies.
Caleb Wilson with the Chicago Bulls, Keaton Wagler with the LA Clippers, Mikel Brown Jr. with the Brooklyn Nets, Darius Acuff Jr. with the Sacramento Kings, Kingston Flemings with the Atlanta Hawks and Morez Johnson Jr. with the Dallas Mavericks completed the ranking of the first 10 picks.
Before López, the Milwaukee Bucks selected Brayden Burries, the Golden State Warriors took Yaxel Lendeborg, the Oklahoma City Thunder chose Spanish Aday Mara, the Bucks acquired Nate Ament via transfer from the Miami Heat, the Charlotte Hornets added Hannes Steinbach and the Bulls got Dailyn Swain in the first 15.