{"id":182757,"date":"2026-06-24T16:51:53","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T20:51:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/karim-lopez-makes-history-first-mexican-selected-in-the-first-round-of-the-nba-draft\/"},"modified":"2026-06-24T16:59:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T20:59:19","slug":"karim-lopez-makes-history-first-mexican-selected-in-the-first-round-of-the-nba-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nuevaonda.com\/en\/karim-lopez-makes-history-first-mexican-selected-in-the-first-round-of-the-nba-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"Karim L\u00f3pez Makes History: First Mexican Selected in the First Round of the NBA Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

Karim L\u00f3pez was selected Tuesday with the 21st overall pick by the Detroit Pistons, becoming the first player born in Mexico to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft.<\/p>\n

L\u00f3pez left at age 14 to play for Joventut de Badalona, played for several Catalan teams, and spent his most recent season with the New Zealand Breakers. He averaged 11.9 points and 6.1 rebounds and shot 49% from the field with the Breakers. L\u00f3pez will join the Detroit Pistons<\/a>, who were eliminated in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season.<\/p>\n

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“My decision came later than I expected; it’s been a little strange.”<\/h2>\n
\"Karim
PHOTO: Karim L\u00f3pez’s Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Karim L\u00f3pez, the first Mexican-born player to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft, said Tuesday that Adam Silver called his name “a little later than he expected.”<\/p>\n

There was also a last-minute trade from the Pistons to the Grizzlies.<\/p>\n

“It’s a blessing. The number doesn’t matter; it’s a little later than I and everyone around me expected, but it’s out of my hands.”<\/p>\n

“I’m going to do my best. I’m approaching this new challenge with great excitement and feeling blessed.”<\/p>\n

L\u00f3pez told the media after being selected in the draft.<\/p>\n

Karim L\u00f3pez averaged 11.9 points<\/p>NuevaOnda.com<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n

He begins his NBA journey<\/h2>\n
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A post shared by AT&T (@att)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n