NBL chief Jeremy Loeliger believes another big name could join top-10 NBA draft prospects R.J. Hampton and LaMelo Ball in the league before the season starts on October 3.
Eighteen-year-olds Hampton (NZ Breakers) and Ball (Illawarra Hawks) have given the NBL's Next Stars import program a huge international profile after knocking back top US colleges to prepare for the 2020 NBA Draft in Australia.
They are joined in the program by fellow youngsters Didi Louzada of Brazil (Sydney Kings) and American Terry Armstrong (South East Melbourne Phoenix).
"We're certainly doing the hard yards already over in the States and elsewhere in the world making sure that people are well aware of the Next Stars program," Loeliger said on Thursday.
"There's been a great level of interest and certainly the level of interest has shot up exponentially since R.J. and LaMelo signed.
"There are still some irons in the fire ... there's one or two more very highly- rated players who are still considering their options for this coming season as well.
"I wouldn't be surprised if we saw maybe one more out of that group."
Hampton and Ball were in Melbourne on Thursday to watch the opening match of the Australia v USA series at Marvel Stadium.
Hampton said he expected the pace of the NBL to suit him and welcomed the skill level but he admitted he would have to adapt quickly to its physicality.
"Everyone plays fast and I feel like there's a lot more people taking a lot more detail in skill level over here than in the States," said Hampton.
"Just play fast, get the ball up the court and make plays with everybody. I think it will be good.
"I'd expect it to be physical. I think any pro basketball league is physical and any basketball league that's at a high level has to be a little physical, so you've just got to get used to it."
Ball admitted he had been taken aback by the speed of play on the practice court since arriving in Wollongong last week.
"Honestly, they like playing fast," Ball said.
"Kind of like, you know, in the States they play fast, you see. It's kind of similar to that, so that surprised me."
AAP
