Kenny Smith Appointed Head of Next Stars Program in North America

Kosport Magazine is excited to announce that Kenny Smith, a two-time NBA champion and prominent broadcaster, has been appointed as the head of Next Stars’ player initiatives in North America for the National Basketball League’s Next Stars program. This move is a major step forward for the NBL and its efforts to provide a legitimate pathway to the NBA for young, draft-eligible talent.

Smith, known for his passion for growing the game of basketball globally, brings a wealth of experience and connections within the American basketball ecosystem to the program. In addition to his role as head of player initiatives, Smith will also become a part owner of an NBL expansion team, further solidifying his commitment to the league’s growth.

“I’m incredibly excited to be an ambassador of the NBL’s Next Stars program and to be fully invested in the growth of the league as a future owner of a new expansion team,” Smith said. “The NBL has a proven track record of getting players drafted and I am honored to have the opportunity to mentor and support young talent on their journey to the NBA.”

The Next Stars program, created in 2018, has already seen eight players drafted into the NBA, including three in the lottery. This success has led to the program expanding to include draft-and-stash talent, with eight of the NBL’s 10 teams having a Next Stars player on their roster for the 2023-24 season.

“We are extremely proud of our Next Stars program and what it has achieved, but this is just the beginning,” said Larry Kestelman, owner of the NBL. “The addition of ambassadors and future team owners of Kenny Smith’s caliber and reputation is truly exciting and shows how far we have come, but also indicates to the basketball world where we are headed.”

The Next Stars program was initially introduced as an alternative to the college basketball system, but with the rise of the NCAA’s name, image, and likeness policy and transfer portal, the NBA created its own developmental team, NBA G-League Ignite. However, with the recent announcement that Ignite will fold at the end of the 2023-24 season, the Next Stars program now has one less competitor.

“This is going to be the pathway for the young man who feels that his skills are higher than college, but also wants to keep his draft stock and also learn how to be a pro, earlier,” Smith explained. “We are going to show you how to have the responsibility fall on you, today.”

With the NBL providing a platform for draft-eligible talent to compete at a professional level, players can gain valuable experience and exposure while also preparing for the physicality and demands of the NBA. And with Smith’s mentorship and guidance, the Next Stars program is poised to continue its success in developing top talent for the NBA.

Summary:

Kosport Magazine is proud to announce that Kenny Smith, a two-time NBA champion and prominent broadcaster, has been appointed as the head of Next Stars’ player initiatives in North America for the National Basketball League’s Next Stars program. Smith’s role will include actively recruiting, developing, and mentoring new Next Stars players, as well as becoming a part owner of an NBL expansion team. This move is a major step forward for the NBL and its efforts to provide a legitimate pathway to the NBA for young, draft-eligible talent. With the recent announcement that the NBA G-League Ignite team will fold, the Next Stars program now has one less competitor, making it an even more attractive option for top talent looking to make the leap to the NBA.