Leading int’l prospect Toohey rejects Zags for NBL
Top international basketball prospect Alex Toohey has actually decommitted from the Gonzaga Bulldogs and will sign with the Sydney Kings as part of the Australian National Basketball League Next Stars program, he told ESPN on Friday.
“Over time, while assessing my scenario, I felt the best path for me was right here in my own backyard,” Toohey said. “The opportunity to bet a company like Sydney in the prestigious Next Stars program was just too good to deny.”
The 19-year-old from Australia was considered among the most appealing global potential customers dedicating to the college route in the class of 2023, having actually currently made a debut with his senior nationwide group in FIBA competitors in February 2021. He joined the Boomers again for their FIBA World Cup qualifiers in August, November and February, a rarity for a player his age. Toohey has actually been playing in Australia’s NBL1 competition this summer, averaging 17.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.7 helps in 28 minutes per game.Editor’s Picks
Toohey is the very first Australian player to dedicate to the NBL Next Stars program given that fellow NBA Global Academy alumnus Josh Giddey, who was the No. 6 pick in the 2021 NBA draft after betting the Adelaide 36ers. The Next Stars program has actually gained steam in reeling in a number of extremely promoted international prospects currently forecasted to be prepared in 2024, consisting of American guard A.J. Johnson (Illawarra), French huge man Alex Sarr (Perth), Swedish wing Bobi Klintman (Cairns) and Lithuanian wing Mantas Rubstavicius (New Zealand).
“I’m extremely thrilled to be joining the Next Stars program and can’t wait to compete at the greatest level in Australia and establish as a player,” Toohey stated. “I understand it will take a lot of effort and commitment, but the next stars program is a tested course.”
Toohey’s Sydney Kings team, part-owned by Australian excellent and previous NBA No. 1 pick Andrew Bogut, won back-to-back NBL champions the past two years and just recently hired Houston Firecrackers assistant Mahmoud Abdelfattah as its head coach. Toohey pointed to that as one of the factors he chose to make the relocation.
“For me, joining the Sydney Kings means I will belong to a championship-winning group,” Toohey stated. “I am excited to play under Coach Mahmoud and learn from my colleagues, along with Luc Longley and Andrew Bogut, who have both been where I am aiming to go. I’m also enjoyed play in front of the amazing Sydney Kings fans.”
Toohey was slated to enroll and get to Gonzaga next week prior to electing to reverse course and check in the NBL.Jonathan Givony is
an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a personal scouting and analytics service made use of by NBA, NCAA and International groups.