San Francisco, CA – The Golden State Warriors have added a versatile and promising talent to their roster in the 2025 NBA Draft, selecting Alex Toohey with the 52nd overall pick.1 This move comes after the Warriors executed a trade with the Phoenix Suns, sending their original 41st pick in exchange for the 52nd and 59th selections.2 By acquiring Toohey, the Warriors continue their trend of targeting international prospects with high basketball IQ and a strong fundamental game.
Alex Toohey, a 6-foot-8, 223-pound forward, hails from Canberra, Australia, and spent the last two seasons playing professionally for the Sydney Kings in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) as part of the NBL’s “Next Stars” program.3 Born on May 5, 2004, Toohey is 21 years old and has been on NBA scouts’ radars for several years, showcasing his talent through various international competitions and the NBL.
In his second season with the Sydney Kings in 2024-2025, Toohey demonstrated significant growth, averaging 10.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game.5 His shooting efficiency improved, and he showed an enhanced ability to finish in transition and contribute across the stat sheet. He was recognized for his development by being named the recipient of the NBL Next Generation Award for the 2024-2025 season, an honor that highlights his potential as a future NBA player.6
Toohey’s draft profile emphasizes his versatility, feel for the game, and consistent motor. He is lauded for his high basketball IQ, strong defensive anticipation, and length (reportedly a nearly 6-foot-11 wingspan).7 While not an explosive athlete, he makes up for it with smart decision-making, effective positioning, and a willingness to play tough defense. Scouts note his ability to guard multiple positions and his knack for generating steals and blocks.
Offensively, Toohey is considered a “jack-of-all-trades” forward. He can knock down open jumpers, particularly from the perimeter, and is comfortable with the ball in his hands to make plays. He doesn’t dominate with isolation scoring but fits well into a fluid, motion-heavy offense, making intelligent cuts and passes. His shooting consistency will be a key area for development at the NBA level, but he showcased improvement in this aspect during the pre-draft process, including impressive performances at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, where he was among the 75 prospects invited.
For the Golden State Warriors, Toohey’s selection at 52nd overall represents a strategic fit for several reasons:
- System Fit: The Warriors’ offensive system under Head Coach Steve Kerr thrives on ball movement, off-ball screens, cutting, and perimeter shooting.8 Toohey’s high basketball IQ, passing instincts, and willingness to play within a team concept make him a natural fit for this style of play.9 He’s not a “ball-stopper” and understands how to contribute without dominating possessions.
- Defensive Versatility: Golden State has always valued versatile defenders who can switch across multiple positions. Toohey’s length, defensive instincts, and competitive motor suggest he can develop into a valuable defensive piece, particularly as a wing or a small-ball power forward. His ability to anticipate plays and generate deflections or steals aligns with the Warriors’ disruptive defensive philosophy.
- Developmental Project: As a second-round pick, Toohey is not expected to be an immediate star. However, his professional experience in the NBL, playing against older competition at a young age, gives him a head start in terms of maturity and understanding of the pro game. The Warriors have a strong track record of developing international players and second-round picks (e.g., Draymond Green, Kevon Looney, Alen Smailagic, Gui Santos), and Toohey provides another promising canvas for their player development staff.
- Addressing Positional Need: The Warriors often seek long, versatile wings and forwards who can shoot and defend. Toohey fits this archetype, offering potential depth at both small forward and power forward positions as the team looks to balance its roster with younger talent.
- Value at Pick 52: Given that many mock drafts had Toohey projected to go higher in the second round, selecting him at 52 is considered a solid value pick. The Warriors, by trading down from 41 to 52 and 59, acquired an additional asset while still landing a player they likely coveted.
Toohey’s journey to the NBA is an interesting one. He initially committed to playing college basketball at Gonzaga University in the U.S. in November 2022 but later de-committed in June 2023 to join the NBL’s Next Stars program with the Sydney Kings.10 This decision allowed him to play professionally earlier and gain valuable experience against seasoned players, a path that has become increasingly popular for international prospects.
For Alex Toohey, being drafted by the Golden State Warriors is an exciting opportunity. He will now prepare for the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas (July 10-20), followed by the Warriors’ training camp in September.11 His immediate future will likely involve proving himself worthy of a roster spot, potentially a two-way contract (which the Warriors often utilize for their second-round picks), or further development with the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G-League.
The Golden State Warriors continue to navigate the complexities of managing a veteran-laden roster while also planning for the future. The selection of Alex Toohey at 52nd overall in the 2025 NBA Draft is a testament to their commitment to identifying talent that fits their system and developing it for long-term success. It’s a low-risk, high-upside swing that could pay dividends down the line for the perennial contenders.
