Latest news with #NBL
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA Rookie Issues Apology to Warriors After Getting Drafted
NBA Rookie Issues Apology to Warriors After Getting Drafted originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Golden State Warriors acquired Australian rookie forward Alex Toohey, whom the Phoenix Suns initially drafted with the 52nd overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NBA draft on Thursday. Advertisement Toohey last played for the Sydney Kings in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He played three seasons in Australia and declared for the draft after averaging 10.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.8 blocks in 23 minutes of playing time per game, according to his player profile. He also won the NBL Next Generation award for posting 45/31/73 shooting splits on 8.4 field goal attempts, 2.9 three-point tries and 2.9 free-throw attempts per game. However, Toohey was initially drafted by the Suns, but was sent to Golden State along with the 59th overall pick (Jahmai Mashack) for the 41st pick (Koby Brea). Toohey, at 6-foot-8 and 223 pounds, can add more length and depth to the Warriors' roster. According to NBC Sports reporter Dalton Johnson, he also apologized to Golden State for what he thought was a rough pre-draft workout, which he considered one of his worst. Johnson noted that Toohey thanked Golden State 'for doing deeper scouting before' the workout. Despite the rough start, some are confident he can develop his 3-point shooting and playmaking like fellow international talents such as Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (Australia) and Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (Germany). Advertisement Toohey's skills were also compared to those of role players such as Doug McDermott and Max Strus throughout pre-draft workouts. Related: Steph Curry Sends Message to All NBA Draft Prospects on Wednesday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
West Australian
a day ago
- Sport
- West Australian
New York guard adds 'sauce' to United's NBL title bid
Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman hopes the addition of lightning-quick import Tyson Walker can help produce the up-tempo game he believes can snare a breakthrough NBL championship. Walker has been confirmed as Melbourne's second import for the 2025/26 season, joining fellow American guard Milton Doyle on a revamped roster. The 24-year-old's signing comes as Vickerman chases a fresh look to his next title bid after consecutive championship series defeats over the last two seasons. "We look at our style of play for this year and we have the ability to play a little bit faster and put more pressure on the basketball, and Tyson offers that in spades," Vickerman said. "He's quick, he's a New York point guard, there's some flair and some sauce in the way that he plays, and I think he's really going to entertain our fans." Walker spent two seasons at Northeastern University before transferring to Michigan State for his final three seasons. He finished his collegiate career as the only player in NCAA Division 1 history with at least 2000 points, 500 assists and 200 steals. Walker, who played in the NBA G-League with the Dallas Mavericks-affiliated Texas Legends, said he was excited about the prospect of spending his first season abroad with perennial NBL title contenders Melbourne. "They can expect a competitor," Walker said. "Someone who's always going to play as hard as he can to try to win, a little bit of flashy stuff, not too much, and just a lot of energy." Walker and Doyle join Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Finn Delany, Kyle Bowen, Tanner Krebs, Fabijan Krslovic, Tom Wilson, Dash Daniels, Campbell Blogg and Tom Koppens on Melbourne's roster for the upcoming season.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
New York guard adds 'sauce' to United's NBL title bid
Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman hopes the addition of lightning-quick import Tyson Walker can help produce the up-tempo game he believes can snare a breakthrough NBL championship. Walker has been confirmed as Melbourne's second import for the 2025/26 season, joining fellow American guard Milton Doyle on a revamped roster. The 24-year-old's signing comes as Vickerman chases a fresh look to his next title bid after consecutive championship series defeats over the last two seasons. "We look at our style of play for this year and we have the ability to play a little bit faster and put more pressure on the basketball, and Tyson offers that in spades," Vickerman said. "He's quick, he's a New York point guard, there's some flair and some sauce in the way that he plays, and I think he's really going to entertain our fans." Walker spent two seasons at Northeastern University before transferring to Michigan State for his final three seasons. He finished his collegiate career as the only player in NCAA Division 1 history with at least 2000 points, 500 assists and 200 steals. Walker, who played in the NBA G-League with the Dallas Mavericks-affiliated Texas Legends, said he was excited about the prospect of spending his first season abroad with perennial NBL title contenders Melbourne. "They can expect a competitor," Walker said. "Someone who's always going to play as hard as he can to try to win, a little bit of flashy stuff, not too much, and just a lot of energy." Walker and Doyle join Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Finn Delany, Kyle Bowen, Tanner Krebs, Fabijan Krslovic, Tom Wilson, Dash Daniels, Campbell Blogg and Tom Koppens on Melbourne's roster for the upcoming season.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Warriors pick Australian wing Alex Toohey at No. 52 overall in 2025 NBA Draft
Warriors pick Australian wing Alex Toohey at No. 52 overall in 2025 NBA Draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area The Warriors made their first move in the 2025 NBA Draft by selecting Australian wing Alex Toohey with the No. 52 overall pick. Advertisement Golden State traded its No. 41 overall pick to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for the No. 52 and No. 59 selections. Toohey is a 6-foot-8 forward who averaged 10.5 points and 3.9 rebounds for the Sydney Kings in the National Basketball League. He is 21 years old. Following a second NBL season with Sydney, Toohey was excited to take his talents to the NBA, and he was among the 75 prospects invited to the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. Multiple NBA teams travelled to Australia over the course of the NBL season to lay eyes on Toohey, per ESPN. 'Pretty much every area a basketball player can show, I feel like I'm gonna surprise some people over there,' Toohey told ESPN last month. Now he gets a chance to showcase his talents with the Warriors. Advertisement Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Four Aussies got their dream in a historic NBA Draft second round
An Aussie may soon find himself lining up next to Steph Curry in an NBA game after a historic second round of the draft for the green and gold. Sydney Kings young gun Alex Toohey, who was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the 52nd overall pick, is among four Australians who had their dreams turn into reality on Friday (AEST). Watch England vs India Test Series LIVE & EXCLUSIVE on Fox Cricket, available on Kayo Sports| New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. After Thursday's first round came and went, Aussie hopes were set on Toohey, Tyrese Proctor (Duke Blue Devils), Rocco Zikarsky (Brisbane Bullets) and Lachlan Olbrich (Illawarra Hawks) in the second round. All four had their names called in a wild run between the 45th and 55th picks, becoming the first Aussie quartet to be drafted in the same year since Chris Anstey, CJ Bruton, Paul Rogers and Ben Pepper back in 1997. Toohey, a versatile 203cm forward, could be working alongside NBA superstar Curry after he was initially drafted by the Phoenix Suns and later traded to the Warriors. The 21-year-old's two seasons at the Kings as part of the NBL's Next Stars Program helped developed his game. He averaged 10.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game in the 2024-25 season and spoke to compatriot and NBA veteran Joe Ingles prior to the draft. 'Being able to be versatile, that's probably the baseline of being able to crack into an NBA team, making sure you can shoot threes and play defence,' Toohey told Fox Sports. 'Speaking to Joe Ingles, once you can do those things the game expands and they have to adjust to you.' Robbie McKinlay, head coach of Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence, described Toohey as an 'explosive athlete'. 'Alex is such a versatile player at both ends of the floor and fits perfectly in the 'positionless' trend of the global game,' he said. 'You saw in the NBL with the Kings that he has the ability to make big plays and is an explosive athlete in the open court.' Minnesota-bound Zikarsky was the first Aussie to be called as the 45th overall pick. The 18-year-old only had minimal minutes this season with the Bullets, but his giant 220cm frame makes for a towering figure in defence and on the boards. It was reported that Zikarsky will be the third tallest player in the NBA next season, with Memphis big man leading the way at 224cm. 'Rocco obviously has size, agility, and terrific defensive instincts and continues to expand an impressive offensive game,' McKinlay said. But 49th pick Proctor could be set to gain the most minutes in his rookie season following his move to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cleveland side has guards Ty Jerome and Sam Merrill hitting free agency and with a legitimate need for a guard, ESPN's draft expert Jonathan Givony said Cleveland was the team 'every agent was fighting for'. A solid shooter, Proctor's role with the Duke Blue Devils saw his skills off the ball help the side and he could log some meaningful minutes with the Cavs next season. Olbrich was the last Australian selected with the 55th overall pick by the LA Lakers and then traded to the Chicago Bulls. Following his strong performances at the G League Elite camp and then the NBA Combine, Olbrich will join fellow Aussie Josh Giddey at the Bulls. Olbrich's move comes after his heroics in the NBL finals series coming in for Sam Froling against Melbourne United on Illawarra's way to the championship. 'Lachlan showed in the Hawks' NBL title run that he is a fierce competitor with the ability to play inside and on the perimeter and guard multiple positions,' McKinlay said. The quartet will report to camp from October 1, joining a strong contingent of 14 Australians that were on NBA rosters this past season, including OKC championship winner Alex Ducas.
