French prodigy Ousmane Dieng hopes to follow in the footsteps of LaMelo Ball and RJ Hampton by using the NBL as his launching pad into the NBA.
The 18-year-old combo guard will join the New Zealand Breakers under the successful Next Star program for the 2021-22 NBL season.
Dieng is ranked at No.11 in ESPN's 2022 mock draft.
He is the Breakers' second Next Star after Hampton, who was the 24th overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft.
"It's exciting to see another one of the top prospects in the world choose the Breakers and the NBL," Breakers chief executive Matt Walsh said.
"Ousmane is a unique talent and we look forward to him helping us win games while developing into one of the top picks in the 2022 NBA Draft."
The versatile Dieng said he is "thrilled" to be joining the Breakers.
"The NBL is one of the world's best basketball leagues and I believe this move is the best step forward for me as I strive to become an NBA player," Dieng said.
"The Breakers have already had great success in developing NBA level players and I can't wait to join their program in a move that will advance my career and prepare me for the NBA draft next year."
Four players have progressed from the Next Star program to the NBA, with Australian prospect Josh Giddey poised to add his name to the list this year.
Giddey is expected to be a first-round draft pick after an outstanding season with the Adelaide 36ers.
Illawarra's Justinian Jessup is playing as a Next Star in the NBL this season after being drafted by the Golden State Warriors.
