The head of the National Basketball League's (NBL) Next Stars program has delivered a confident message: Australia will remain a premier destination for the world's top young basketball talent, even as American college athletes begin to earn significant money.
Navigating the New Era of US College Payments
Liam Santamaria, the general manager of the NBL's groundbreaking Next Stars initiative, addressed the recent seismic shift in US college sports. The NCAA's new policy, which allows athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL), has created a landscape where top prospects can now earn substantial sums—sometimes over $1 million—while playing collegiate basketball.
Despite this financial revolution, Santamaria believes the Australian pathway retains its unique and powerful appeal. The core mission of the Next Stars program remains unchanged: to prepare elite young players for the NBA in a professional environment. This, he argues, is an offer US colleges still cannot match, regardless of the new payment structures.
The Professional Edge of the NBL Pathway
Santamaria points to the program's proven track record as its greatest asset. Since its inception, the Next Stars program has been a resounding success, producing a remarkable number of NBA draft picks. Notable alumni include future All-Star LaMelo Ball (selected 3rd overall in 2020), projected 2024 top-three pick Alexandre Sarr, and recent first-round selections like Ousmane Dieng (11th in 2022) and Rayan Rupert (43rd in 2023).
"We're selling a professional experience," Santamaria explained. While US college players balance athletics with academics and adhere to strict NCAA schedules, Next Stars participants are treated as full-time professionals. Their focus is solely on basketball development—training, competing against grown men in a physical league, and learning the lifestyle demands of a pro athlete.
This immersive professional preparation is what families and agents of top-tier prospects value immensely. The program provides a realistic preview of an NBA career, from travel and recovery protocols to media training and financial literacy education, all within a world-class league.
A Sustained Competitive Advantage
The NBL isn't standing still in the face of increased competition. Santamaria emphasised that the league and its clubs are continuously innovating to enhance the program. This includes deepening partnerships with global brands and exploring new commercial opportunities for the players themselves.
While the financial gap with lucrative US college NIL deals may narrow, Santamaria is confident the qualitative difference will keep Australia at the forefront. The decision for a prospect, he suggests, will increasingly come down to a choice between immediate college money and long-term professional readiness for an NBA career.
The success stories speak for themselves. The pipeline from Australian courts to the NBA draft stage is now well-established and respected by scouts and executives worldwide. As the global basketball landscape evolves, the NBL's Next Stars program has positioned itself not as an alternative, but as a distinct and premium route to the sport's highest level.
Santamaria's outlook is clear: for the elite prospects who prioritise ultimate NBA preparedness over the traditional college experience, Australia will continue to be the destination of choice.
