Five Aussies to chase NBA dreams in 2025 Draft

• The International Withdrawal deadline passed on June 16 Australian time
• Ben Henshall withdrew on June 15th, leaving five Aussies to compete
• Four Aussies were expected to be taken in the 2nd round according to ESPN's latest Mock Draft

As the international withdrawal deadline for the 2025 NBA Draft passed on June 15, five Australian prospects have maintained their position in the draft pool, each looking to make the leap to basketball's biggest stage.

The Final Five

The Australian contingent still pursuing their NBA dreams includes three NBL players and two NCAA standouts:

• Alex Toohey (NBL, Sydney Kings)
• Rocco Zikarsky (NBL, Brisbane Bullets)
• Tyrese Proctor (NCAA, Duke Blue Devils)
• Lachlan Olbrich (NBL, Illawarra Hawks)
• Reyne Smith (NCAA, Louisville Cardinals)

Perth Wildcats' Ben Henshall was the most recent withdrawal, with the young guard now weighing his options between returning to the NBL or pursuing opportunities in the NCAA.

Alex Toohey: NBL Development Success Story

Alex Toohey has emerged as one of the most intriguing prospects in this draft class. After developing his game in the NBL, Toohey has shown tremendous growth in his all-around abilities.

Standing at 201 cm, Toohey possesses the size and versatility that NBA teams covet in modern forwards. His ability to defend multiple positions while contributing offensively both as a scorer and facilitator has drawn significant attention from NBA scouts.

Toohey's development pathway through the NBL has provided him with professional experience against grown men, a factor that often helps Australian prospects transition more smoothly to the NBA compared to some of their American counterparts.

With him opting to remain in the draft calculations at this stage, draft watchers being he would be well suited to a second round pick.

Rocco Zikarsky: The Towering Prospect

Perhaps the most physically imposing of the Australian draft hopefuls, Rocco Zikarsky brings exceptional size to the centre position. His development in the NBL has allowed him to test his abilities against professional competition, providing valuable experience that college players typically don't receive.

Zikarsky's combination of height, length, and mobility makes him an intriguing prospect for NBA teams looking for rim protection and vertical spacing. While traditional centres have seen their value fluctuate in the modern NBA, players with Zikarsky's physical tools will always draw interest from franchises looking to shore up their interior defense.

With being one of the youngest in this year's draft, his development curve suggests there's still considerable untapped potential, and his ceiling as a defender and rim-runner could make him an attractive option for teams willing to invest in his growth.

Tyrese Proctor: NCAA Polish and Pedigree

Tyrese Proctor has taken a different development path, honing his craft in the NCAA. The guard has impressed with his combination of basketball intelligence, skill, and competitive fire.

Proctor's time in college basketball has allowed him to showcase his abilities against some of the top young talents in America, proving he belongs in conversations about the best guards in this draft class.

His ability to operate effectively in pick-and-roll situations while also contributing as an off-ball threat makes him a versatile offensive weapon. Defensively, Proctor has shown the fundamentals and determination that should translate well to the next level.

Proctor recently took part in a pre-draft workout with the Sacramento Kings, and is mocked as being a second round pick.

Lachlan Olbrich: Versatile Forward Making Waves

Lachlan Olbrich represents the modern basketball forward—versatile, skilled, and able to impact the game in multiple ways. His development in the NBL has helped him adapt to the physical nature of professional basketball.

Olbrich's ability to stretch the floor with his shooting while also contributing inside gives him the kind of versatility NBA teams are increasingly valuing. His basketball IQ allows him to make quick decisions with the ball, whether that's attacking closeouts, finding open teammates, or creating his own shot.

His recent play in the NBA Draft's lead-up events at the G-League Elite Camp and NBA Draft Combine saw him shoot up draft boards into a realistic second round pick.

Reyne Smith: Sharpshooting Specialist

Reyne Smith has built his draft stock primarily around one elite skill—shooting. In the NCAA, Smith established himself as one of the most dangerous perimeter threats in college basketball.

In a league that increasingly values spacing and three-point shooting, Smith's ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc makes him an intriguing prospect. While some players might be more well-rounded, few can match Smith's shooting prowess.

Beyond his shooting, Smith has worked to round out other aspects of his game, improving as a defender and ball-handler to ensure he can stay on the floor at the next level. Reyne recently had a standout shooting performance at the Adidas Eurocamp, hitting eight three pointers in a game infront of NBA talent scouts.

Ben Henshall: The Recent Withdrawal

The most notable recent development was Ben Henshall's decision to withdraw from the draft. The Perth Wildcats player now faces an important career decision—whether to return to the NBL or pursue opportunities in American college basketball.

Henshall's withdrawal highlights the 'pressing pause' approach many international prospects take toward the draft process with the new NIL rules and salaries available that could be higher than those offered in the NBA's second round of the Draft.

This decision could also pay dividends on the court in the long run, allowing him to address any perceived weaknesses in his game while continuing to build confidence at a level where he can make a significant impact and make a run at the 2026 Draft, like fellow West Australian Alex Condon who also recently withdrew.