Toohey surges in NBA mock draft

Sydney’s Alex Toohey is being seen as one of the biggest climbers in the upcoming NBA Draft rankings.

Barely a week after ESPN’s Jonathan Givony pushed the previously unheralded talent to 83^rd in his player rankings, The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie has the young King being selected in the first round.

Toohey’s rise to first round prospect has coincided with Vecenie’s belief that Perth’s Alexandre Sarr is the top prospect in this draft class, after he was named as the projected first selection in the same mock.

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Praise for Toohey has been high around the NBL as he’s continued to find his niche in Sydney’s starting line-up. Kings part-owner Andrew Bogut recently praised Toohey’s ability to bounce back from “subpar” performances in an interview with NBL Media, while head coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah described him as a near incomparable talent following yet another strong performance in Sunday’s win over Brisbane.

Vecenie used Toohey’s exceptional basketball IQ as justification for his launch up the draft projections.

“There’s always a place in the NBA for 6-foot-8 players with a 9-foot standing reach who can shoot, provide reasonable defensive play and make quick decisions,” Vecenie wrote.

“He’s provided legitimate floor-spacing and capable defensive play right from the jump for the Sydney Kings due to his high basketball IQ.

“Most expected him to require two years in the league after he chose to turn pro instead of attending Gonzaga. But that has proven to be the right decision.”

View The Athletic's full 2024 NBA Mock Draft here.