NOW entering his second season in the National Basketball League (NBL), Sydney Kings Next Star Alex Toohey will be shaping up to take the next step ahead of the upcoming 2024/25 fixture.

After withdrawing his name from the 2024 NBA Draft, Toohey will be putting his focus towards this year’s intake, and his second and likely final season in the NBL will play a crucial role in where he lands at the draft next November.

Toohey has already caught the eye with an impressive physical frame that matches well with an eye-catching level of skill that makes him an exciting forward prospect. Now with a season under his belt, he looks ready for the spotlight ahead of his draft year, especially considering he is already highly touted before even playing a game this season.

Alex Toohey

Team: Sydney Kings
Nationality: Australian
Position: Power Forward
Age: 20
Height: 203cm (6ft, 7in)
Weight: 101kg (223lbs)

Playing history

The Canberra native managed to score a scholarship with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), having been recognised for his natural feel for the game, as well as his developing size and strength. He would spend three years within the program, allowing himself to develop under some of the best coaches in the country.

He signed with the Kings as a Next Star and made his debut at the age of 19, scoring eight points and showing promising signs as a frontcourt contributor. He made his mark in the rotation, and produced some highlight plays in the process.

He caught the attention of the entire league when he scored one of plays of the year in transition, spinning past the defender at top speed and throwing down a dunk to get the crowd on its feet. It was a clear demonstration of his athletic traits, as well as his high skill level that helped him get to the basket in the first place.

In his first NBL season, he posted averages of eight points and four rebounds on 44 per cent shooting from the field, and showed an excellent blueprint for a successful career.

How he plays

Toohey is the kind of player that fits well into any team, largely thanks to his high IQ, which is one of his biggest strengths as a player. The forward is capable of playing off the ball, but has developed solid handles and passing skills for his size as his career has rolled on.

Although he still has a ways to go on the defensive end on-ball, he can read the play well enough to rack up steals with intercept passes throughout the match. If he can improve his lateral quickness, he will make for a better defender both on and off the ball.

Sometimes he does play with a bit too much pace, and can lose the ball when he shouldn’t, but once he tidies this up, he will be a force given his guard-like skills in the frontcourt. His shot continues to improve as he gets more games under his belt, and it will be interesting to see how much he can impact the game from behind the arc.

Regardless, he is shaping as an elite transition player given his skillset and can cause opposing teams plenty of headaches when going downhill.

Prediction

Toohey is now entering his second season as a Next Star, and with more NBA Draft hype surrounding his game, he is primed to storm towards stardom and develop his game further.