For the first time since 1997, four Australians were drafted into the NBA in the same year and all of them landed in intriguing spots.
While it is tough to project second-round picks having an immediate impact, towering Brisbane Bullets teen Rocco Zikarsky is in an interesting spot to contribute in the long-term after being taken on as a project player by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In fact, one NBA insider wrote that Zikarsky’s selection, along with a previous pick by Minnesota in the draft, could signal a key Timberwolves player may be on the move.
Elsewhere, Duke guard Tyrese Proctor was one of the steals of the second round after falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Unlike most second-rounders, there is reportedly already a multi-year deal in place for Proctor and with Ty Jerome and Sam Merrill hitting free agency, the Sydney native definitely looks the most likely of the four Australians to produce in year one.
Alex Toohey was next to have his name called and one analyst believes Golden State was the “best-case scenario” for the Sydney Kings Next Star.
Capping off the run of Australian picks was championship-winning Illawarra Hawks forward Lachlan Olbrich, who teams up with fellow countryman Josh Giddey in Chicago.
Here is what NBA experts over in the States are saying about the four Australians who were picked, along with a few early quotes from general managers on their expectations.
How Proctor took his game up a gear | 02:25
ROCCO ZIKARSKY (Brisbane Bullets centre, drafted 45th overall by Minnesota Timberwolves)
Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor: Joan Beringer in the first round, Rocco Zikarsky in the second round. What are the Timberwolves cooking up in the frontcourt behind Rudy Gobert? Or maybe … in place of Rudy Gobert? After Gobert was involved in trade discussions with the Suns for Kevin Durant, perhaps this is a signal that Minnesota is prepared to move on from the four-time Defensive Player of the Year. Zikarsky is a big Australian center who plays a traditional role as an interior finisher and rim protector. He doesn’t offer much else at this stage of his career.
Jonathan Givony on the ESPN broadcast: He has incredible size... he can practically dunk without jumping, which also gives him significant potential on the defensive end. He’s shown some flashes of stretch potential. He’ll need to improve his ability to cover ground and space and make quicker decisions but he’s going to be the third-tallest player in the NBA after Zach Edey and Victor Wembanyama.
The Athletic’s John Hollinger: He’s a developmental center who may be left overseas by the Wolves to continue progressing, as the 18-year-old giant (7-4) has no chance of helping the win-now Wolves this season.
Timberwolves GM Tim Connelly: We were super lucky to add Rocco Zikarsky... we’re fired up. He’s certainly a long-term play but a guy that trained locally so he has an appreciation for Minnesota already. We had a great workout with him. We had him much higher on the board and again, it’s fun to add young players with energy. We’re fired up.
TYRESE PROCTOR (Duke guard, drafted 49th overall by Cleveland Cavaliers)
Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor: Proctor might be Cleveland’s Ty Jerome replacement, since Jerome is an unrestricted free agent. Proctor is a tall combo guard with great passing vision who was expected to go one-and-done, but he took until his junior year to look ready for the NBA. He sharpened his jumper and became an even better defender, making him an appealing short-term piece for the Cavaliers.
Jonathan Givony on the ESPN broadcast: This is the spot every agent was fighting for because there’s going to be a roster spot. Every other pick here is either going to be a two-way or a stash. Tyrese Proctor is a sweet shooting Australian guard, made 41 per cent of his 3s, helped Duke make the Final Four this year... a very exciting pick for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Athletic’s John Hollinger: Proctor was the highest-rated player remaining on my board and I don’t really understand why he slipped this far. He’s younger than all of the seniors and super-seniors being selected in this range, he steadily improved as a hooter while at Duke, and he has a good enough handle to take minutes at the point. He’s a bit undersized for the 2 and not a crazy athlete, but I suspect he’ll be a better pro basketball player than a lot of guys taken ahead of him.
ALEX TOOHEY (Sydney Kings forward, drafted 52nd overall by Golden State Warriors)
Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor: Landing with the Warriors is probably a best-case scenario for Toohey since he’s a jack-of-all-trades forward who grinds on defense and loves to dish the ball around. Playing in Golden State’s motion could only amplify the Australian’s best talents. But his scoring comes and goes with his streaky jumper since he’s not someone who generates many of his own shots. Becoming a more reliable shooter will be the key for Toohey to carve out a consistent role for the Warriors.
Jonathan Givony on the ESPN broadcast: A tough, smart, energetic forward in a Cedi Osman mould. Standing 6-foot-11, can shoot, 6-foot-11 wingspan. Strong feel for the game, two-way versatility, gets in passing lanes, does a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor. An intriguing pick.
The Athletic’s John Hollinger: I thought Toohey would go higher. He needs to straighten out his shooting but he’s a smart defender who generates lots of blocks and steals, and his offensive game scaled up to the NBA-caliber athletes at the NBA Draft Combine with little trouble. The Warriors could potentially stash him overseas and let him develop, but he’s shown enough where he might be able to contribute on a 2-way or back-end roster contract immediately.
Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy: It’s hard, I mean, I’m willing to be wrong on this but the last few years I’ve said it. I don’t expect these guys to have much of an impact as rookies... Alex has played against pros in Australia, so maybe he has a chance but I don’t want to bank on it... but we don’t think these guys are years away.
LACHLAN OLBRICH (Illawarra Hawks forward, drafted 55th overall by Chicago Bulls)
Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor: Olbrich is a high-motor Aussie big who projects as a screen-and-dive reserve and plays with a tone-setting level of toughness that could keep him in a rotation. Good for the Bulls to find another guy with these qualities after acquiring Noa Essengue with their lottery pick.
Jonathan Givony on the ESPN broadcast: Strong, tough, skilled with strong ballhandling ability. Can score inside the paint, can push off the defensive glass, he has good vision as a passer. He had a great series against Melbourne United in the NBL Championship Series. Finding more range as a shooter is important for his NBA career.
The Athletic’s John Hollinger: Olbrich had a strong showing at the NBA Draft Combine as a skilled center who run the floor, handle the ball and rebound. But he’s badly undersized for the middle and doesn’t shoot well enough to play anywhere else. He’s a possible stash pick, but he could contribute on a 2-way contract if the Bulls go that direction.