Kenny Smith has been appointed as the head of Next Stars player program in North America for Australia's National Basketball League Next Stars initiative.

Smith will help recruit, develop, and mentor players in the league's Next Stars program.

"Legitimate pathways to the NBA are evolving, and the NBL has a proven track record of getting players drafted. The NBL identified a key role for me to mentor and support young talent and equip them with the tools to compete at a professional level with a view to making the leap into the NBA," said Smith.

Smith will also become a part owner of an NBL expansion team in the future.

Rocco Zikarsky signed with the Brisbane Bullets as part of the Australian National Basketball League Next Stars program.

Zikarsky was one of the top international prospects for his class. 

"I decided that the Next Stars opportunity was just too good a fit. Being able to train daily with my Under-17 Australian national team coaches, alongside one of my idols Aron Baynes, in my hometown, for my home club, in the NBL, with my family close by, is a dream come true," Zikarsky told ESPN.

The 17-year-old Zikarsky will not be eligible for the NBA Draft until 2025. 

Alex Toohey decommitted from Gonzaga and signed a deal with the Sydney Kings of Australia's National Basketball League.

"Over time, while evaluating my situation, I felt the best pathway for me was right here in my own backyard.

"The opportunity to play for an organization like Sydney in the esteemed Next Stars program was simply too good to turn down," said Toohey. 

The 19-year-old is the first Australian to commit the NBL Next Stars program since Josh Giddey. 

Matthew Dellavedova is returning to Melbourne United after signing a two-year deal with the NBL team.

"With the World Cup this year, then the Olympics next year, I feel like it's best for me to play a lot," said Dellavedova.

Dellavedova appeared in just 32 games with the Kings last season, averaging 1.5 points per game.

The 32-year-old did not rule out a return to the NBA in the future. 

Alex Sarr, a projected top-20 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, signed a deal with the Perth Wildcats in the Australian NBL for next season. 

Sarr is currently projected as the No. 17 pick in the 2024 draft by ESPN.

Sarr has spent the last two years playing for the Overtime Elite.

"Perth has a winning tradition. It's a great club that I wanted to be a part of. I want to make an impact there and help them make the playoffs," said Sarr.