Potential first-round pick Alex Toohey has declared for this year’s NBA draft, according to SydneyKings.com. Toohey confirmed his decision on social media (Twitter link).
Toohey played for Australia’s Kings as part of the NBL’s Next Stars program. He started in 25 of the 29 games he played, averaging 10.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.
Toohey, a 6’7” wing, is currently ranked No. 31 overall on The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie’s Big Board. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony slots Toohey at No. 37.
Toohey, who turns 21 in May, is an Australian native. He originally committed to play in the U.S. for Gonzaga in 2022 but decided the following year to enter the Next Stars program.
Nine Next Stars have been drafted in the past five years – LaMelo Ball (pick three, 2020), R.J. Hampton (pick 24, 2020), Josh Giddey (pick six, 2021), Ousmane Dieng (pick 11, 2022), Rayan Rupert (pick 43, 2023), Alex Sarr (pick two, 2024), AJ Johnson (pick 23, 2024), Bobi Klintman (pick 37, 2024) and Ariel Hukporti (pick 58, 2024).