Grizzlies Take Karim López at No. 21, Making Him First Mexican-Born NBA 1st-Round Pick
Updated
Updated · Commercial Appeal · Jun 24
Grizzlies Take Karim López at No. 21, Making Him First Mexican-Born NBA 1st-Round Pick
3 articles · Updated · Commercial Appeal · Jun 24
Summary
No. 21 made Karim López the first Mexican-born player ever selected in the first round of an NBA draft, a milestone he called special for both himself and Mexico.
At 14, López left Hermosillo, Sonora, for Spain to speed his development, later moving to Australia’s NBL with the New Zealand Breakers on his path to the NBA.
Mexico remained central to the moment: López wore Mexican flags and symbols inside his draft-night jacket, while his parents watched from his side in Brooklyn.
The Grizzlies framed the pick as both value and fit, with general manager Zach Kleiman saying the team was optimistic about López’s potential and welcomed the perspective he brings.