Draft-ready: 'That's Alex Toohey in a nutshell'

• Alex Toohey established himself as one of the NBL's premier young talents in 2024-25
• Toohey is a projected early second round 2025 NBA Draft pick
• Toohey's profile aligns with the modern NBA's increasing emphasis on defensive versatility

Ersin Demir's NBA Draft Newsletter went deep, very deep, into Sydney Kings NBL Next Star Alex Toohey's scouting report head of the 2025 NBA Draft in late June.

This is a summary of Demir's Toohey scout. Dig even deeper here.

NBL Next Generation Award winner and Sydney Kings standout Alex Toohey has declared for the 2025 NBA Draft.

The 21-year-old forward's defensive prowess and ability to impact winning have positioned him as an intriguing prospect for NBA teams seeking versatile defenders with complementary offensive skills.

Overview of his scout

At just 21 years old, Toohey has established himself as one of the NBL's premier young talents. Standing 203 cm tall in socks and weighing 101 kg, the Sydney Kings forward brings excellent positional size to play as a three while demonstrating the versatility to handle assignments at both the two and four positions.

Toohey's defensive impact separated him from his peers during his stellar season with the Kings. While averaging over 11 points per game, it was his ability to disrupt opposing offenses that truly showcased his value. His physical profile — featuring a 209 cm wingspan — gives him natural advantages when guarding smaller opponents, while his lateral quickness allows him to stay with more agile players.

"Continuously adjusting their game to keep impacting winning makes it more feasible for young prospects to adjust to the NBA. That's Alex Toohey in a nutshell," explained one scouting report, highlighting his adaptability as a key attribute for transition to the higher level.

Defensive Foundation

Toohey's defensive toolkit is comprehensive and mature beyond his years. His closeout technique demonstrates a strong understanding of fundamental principles — he consistently positions himself to take away three-point attempts while forcing opponents into less efficient dribble penetration. Rather than simply rushing at shooters, Toohey maintains balance with quick correction steps that allow him to slide effectively and contest shots.

When defending pick-and-roll actions, Toohey excels at closing driving lanes and denying passing angles. He positions himself intelligently in the second line of defense, stepping in to challenge ball handlers while effectively tagging rollers. This spatial awareness forces opponents into difficult shots and disrupts offensive flow.

Screen navigation represents another strength in Toohey's defensive arsenal. He shows exceptional feel when using his arms to slide between ball handlers and screeners, recognising tight spaces and throwing himself between opponents. This skill translates particularly well to the NBA, where motion offenses frequently employ screens to create advantages.

"Screen navigation and length are two essentials that NBA coaches seek to see if they can sustain their defensive rating with young players on the floor," one analysis pointed out, underscoring why Toohey's abilities in this area are so valuable.

Offensive Development

While defense remains Toohey's calling card, his offensive game shows promising elements that could develop further at the NBA level.

As a shooter, Toohey has demonstrated improvement, connecting on 34 per cent of his three-point attempts in NBL25 — up from 27.3 per cent the previous year. His quick footwork when moving toward the ball makes him an effective target for passers, though his shooting mechanics still require refinement. Toohey's high release point, aided by his length, helps him shoot over contests, but improving his foot positioning and release fluidity will be crucial to becoming a consistent threat.

Toohey shows creativity when attacking closeouts, using jab steps and fakes to unbalance defenders before driving. Though not blessed with elite burst, he compensates with craft and length to generate paint touches. His finishing at the rim (46 per cent in the past two seasons) needs improvement, though context matters — FIBA basketball doesn't employ the defensive three-second rule, allowing more bodies to crowd the paint compared to NBA settings.

In handoff actions, Toohey demonstrates good change of pace but sometimes struggles with timing his final step when approaching the rim. This technical aspect of his game appears coachable and should improve with professional development.

As a passer, Toohey maintains a positive assist-to-turnover ratio despite limited playmaking opportunities. His drive-and-kick ability shows promise, as he uses his rim pressure to force defensive rotations before finding open teammates. While primarily executing basic reads at this stage, Toohey shows the instincts to potentially grow into a secondary ball handler.

The NBL-to-NBA Pipeline

The NBL has established itself as a legitimate pathway to the NBA, with players such as Josh Giddey, LaMelo Ball, and Alex Sarr using the Australian league as a springboard to the world's premier basketball competition. Toohey's experience playing in the fast-paced NBL — a style that mirrors aspects of the NBA game — provides valuable preparation for the next level.

"The fast-paced style of the NBL is similar to the NBA and makes adjusting easier. With two full seasons under his belt, the experience will also be valued," noted a scouting assessment of Toohey's readiness.

The NBL's quality of competition and professional environment have helped Toohey develop a mature understanding of team concepts. He rarely appears lost on defensive rotations — a common issue for young players — and demonstrates consistent effort and engagement on both ends of the floor.

Areas for Development

Despite his impressive defensive foundation, Toohey has clear areas for improvement as he transitions to the NBA level.

His closeout technique, while generally solid, sometimes leaves the baseline too accessible. NBA scouts have noted that Toohey doesn't always close out at a full 180 degrees to shooters, potentially giving experienced NBA wings opportunities to attack the rim via the baseline. Refining this aspect of his defense will be crucial against the world's best athletes.

Offensively, Toohey's rim finishing requires the most attention. His tendency to push shots rather than use a soft touch limits his efficiency around the basket. Better mapping of the court when slashing and improving his last step timing would significantly enhance his scoring potential.

As a shooter, consistency remains the primary goal. Toohey's shooting mechanics need refinement, particularly in setting his feet properly before release and aligning his body at 180 degrees to the rim. With these adjustments, his shooting percentages should climb.

NBA Draft Outlook

Based on his trajectory and skill set, Toohey projects as an early second-round selection in the 2025 NBA Draft. His high floor as a defensive specialist with complementary offensive skills makes him an attractive option for playoff teams seeking immediate rotational help.

"Maturity is everything when it comes to young prospects sticking in the NBA. Toohey will have no issue adjusting to the next level, and adding his mastery of athleticism to maximise his craft gives him a good outlook to contribute to playoff teams," suggested one draft analysis.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been mentioned as a particularly good fit for Toohey's skill set, potentially providing a landing spot where his defensive versatility could immediately contribute to a winning environment.

The Modern NBA Wing

Toohey's profile aligns with the modern NBA's increasing emphasis on defensive versatility. Teams value players who can guard multiple positions, navigate screens effectively, and make sound rotational decisions — all strengths in Toohey's game.

While not projected as a primary offensive option, Toohey's willingness to play within a team structure and impact winning without dominating the ball makes him an ideal complementary piece. His rim pressure and developing shooting touch provide pathways to offensive contribution even as his defensive abilities drive his value.

Comparisons and Projections

While player comparisons are inherently flawed, Toohey's skill set and physical profile suggest a career path similar to players like Royce O'Neale, Jae Crowder, or a defensively-focused Torrey Craig — wings who carved out substantial NBA careers through defensive impact, complementary offensive skills, and high basketball IQ.

The likelihood of Toohey receiving a guaranteed contract as an early second-rounder speaks to the confidence scouts have in his ability to contribute immediately. Unlike some prospects with higher ceilings but lower floors, Toohey offers teams a degree of certainty — a player who understands his role and can execute it effectively from day one.

Toohey enters the 2025 NBA Draft as one of the most NBA-ready defensive prospects in his class. His combination of physical tools, technical skill, and basketball intelligence makes him a reliable projection despite limitations in his offensive game.

For NBA teams seeking to bolster their defensive capabilities without sacrificing offensive spacing, Toohey offers an intriguing option in the early second round. His success in the NBL against professional competition demonstrates his readiness for the next level, while his continued improvement as a shooter suggests untapped potential.

As the NBA continues to value two-way wings who impact winning beyond the box score, Toohey's stock may continue to rise in the lead-up to the draft. His journey from Sydney Kings standout to potential NBA rotation player exemplifies the growing strength of Australian basketball on the global stage.