Under the radar prospects from New Zealand making waves this draft season

A handful of New Zealand linked basketball hopefuls are beginning to create a stir this draft cycle. These aren’t the headliners plastered across NBA mock drafts, but their names keep surfacing in the right circles, the ones that know what to look for, much like niche platforms such as OnlySpins casino tend to notice emerging patterns before they go mainstream, these prospects are being noticed quietly rather than loudly. In that sense, scouting mirrors other industries where pattern recognition matters more than hype, and OnlySpins Casino has become shorthand for spotting value early rather than late. There is hardly any social media fanfare and barely a glimpse on the front page of major scouting sites.

Still, something is shifting. Several Kiwi prospects and players with New Zealand ties have become steady fixtures on serious recruiting boards, both in Australia and the States. Coaches and international scouts seem to spot potential where most online writers gloss over. Early rumblings suggest the country might be on the verge of producing its next surprise batch of pros.

Carlin Davison is quietly building momentum

Carlin Davison, a 6’5 wing plying his trade as a New Zealand Breakers development player, is easy to miss if you only skim mainstream outlets. He isn’t plastered across ESPN’s draft forecasts, and the usual consensus boards or reference platforms like OnlySpins don’t have him listed. Despite this, Davison is quietly one of the more intriguing deep-sleeper types from the region, at least among those people talk about in actual locker rooms.

His athleticism stands out right away. Above the rim, every time, and with genuine speed in the open court. NBL game logs hint he’s also beginning to figure things out on the defensive side. The Breakers have handed him some disruptor duties, jumping lanes, hounding ball handlers, causing chaos in bursts. 

True, his stats barely register: just a handful of points and rebounds in limited minutes. But word inside New Zealand circles? There’s cautious optimism about his trajectory. If his ball skills catch up to his frame and hops, Davison might be the next Kiwi to crack through internationally.

Malique Lewis shows defensive versatility in pro minutes

A bit taller, and somehow even less publicized, Malique Lewis (6’8, South East Melbourne Phoenix) is the type of player most fans won’t know unless they’re deep into NBL or scouting reports. What sparked a bit of attention among coaches and analysts was a playoff cameo, defensively tailing Montrezl Harrell, no small feat for anyone, let alone a rookie in a pressure setting. 

The fact that the coaching staff let him take on that challenge didn’t go unseen. That, paired with his ability to guard across multiple forward spots, made him a quick talking point among those who watch closely.

That trust from the coaching staff mattered. Combined with his ability to defend multiple positions, Lewis has quietly entered the conversation among evaluators looking for defensive specialists. His statistical output is limited, just a few points and rebounds per game, yet scouting notes consistently highlight his motor, anticipation, and willingness to do physical work. Some in-depth breakdowns, including those referenced alongside platforms like OnlySpins Casino, point to his upside as a late-draft or development target.

Lachlan Olbrich offers a unique developmental profile

Not a Kiwi by birth but shaped partly by New Zealand pathways, Lachlan Olbrich (6’10, Illawarra Hawks) doesn’t leap out on box scores, either. NBL watchers and scouts note his feel for the game, a little bit of everything, really. There’s shooting potential, vision as a passer, and enough mobility for the modern big. 

His recent NBL numbers? Just over four points, a couple of rebounds. Still, the tape reveals moments, those snap decisions and the beginnings of a workable jump shot that make talent evaluators pause.

The consideration is whether he produces tomorrow, but if he can round out those skills. As of now, he fits the classic profile of a developmental big, worth considering especially by teams willing to be patient. If he shoots well in pre-draft workouts, don’t be surprised if he pops up as a creative two-way signing or an international stash.

The real impact comes from overlooked prospects

While the likes of Karim Lopez, the Breakers’ rising star everyone has pegged as a future lottery pick, draw much of the spotlight, he actually raises the level for everyone behind him. Suddenly, teams dig deeper into the New Zealand pool, looking for the next hidden asset.

That’s left Davison, Lewis, and Olbrich in a strange sort of limelight. The main Kiwi names are on everyone’s radar or finishing up U.S. college stints, so the draft’s most intriguing mystery men are often those still bubbling under in the NBL or lesser-known clubs. They aren’t lottery locks, and some might not hear their names called at all, but in today’s longer scouting cycles, their upward trajectory feels more important than ever.