NZ-born shooting guard Mojave King has been picked up by Indiana Pacers in the 2023 NBA Draft.
King, 21, was selected by Los Angeles Lakers with the 47th pick in the second round, before being traded to the Pacers.
The former Southland Sharks star becomes just the fourth NZ-born player drafted into the NBA, joining Sean Marks, Aron Baynes and Steven Adams.
Kiwi sharpshooter Kirk Penney went undrafted in 2003, but later suited up for Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers as a free agent.
King was born in Dunedin, where American father Leonard established himself as an Otago Nuggets legend in the NBL. Mother Tracey was a Tall Ferns point guard, while older sister Tylah also plays basketball.
The family moved to Queensland in 2007, after Leonard accepted a role to coach in a semi-professional league. He also serve as Basketball New Zealand player development and high-performance manager.
The move to Australia saw his son excel through the youth ranks, before he joined the NBA Global Academy in 2019.
King signed his first professional contract with Cairns Taipans in 2020, as part of the Australian NBL's Next Stars programme, turning down several US college scholarships.
He transferred to Adelaide 36ers, before returning to New Zealand in 2022 to play for the Sharks in the NBL.
King joined the NBA G League Ignite in September, where he stayed until he was drafted by the Pacers. He is a dual citizen of New Zealand and US, but has signalled his intention to play for Australia in the international arena.
Meanwhile, former NZ Breakers Next Stars shooting guard Rayan Rupert has been drafted just four picks earlier by Portland Trail Blazers.
The Frenchman was selected with the 43rd pick, after Atlanta Hawks traded their rights away.
