Alex Toohey walked onto the Chase Center court for the first time in a Golden State Warriors uniform on July 8, 2025, marking the start of his NBA journey in Summer League play. Drafted 52nd overall in June’s NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns, Toohey’s rights were promptly traded to the Warriors as part of a complex seven-team transaction involving the likes of Kevin Durant. The trade only cleared league moratorium restrictions on July 6, enabling both Toohey and fellow rookie Will Richard to suit up beginning with the Warriors’ final game of the California Classic series.
Although his debut took place in front of a sparse crowd—media, team personnel, and family only—the stage was no less momentous for the 21‑year‑old Australian forward. The atmosphere may have lacked the energy of a packed arena, but Toohey remained undeterred. He played 24 minutes, finishing with six points, six rebounds, four turnovers, and three personal fouls, registering a minus‑34 as the Warriors fell to the Miami Heat 93‑79.
Offensive rhythm eluded Toohey in the fast‑paced setting. He took just five shots—one of which was a catch‑and‑shoot three, and another a layup following strong off‑ball movement. He went 1 of 5 from the field, missed all three three‑point attempts, but was a perfect 4 for 4 from the free‑throw line. It was a quiet stat line, but one that offered insight into a player still acclimating to the heightened speed and physicality of NBA‑level Summer League.
Turnovers were a notable blemish. Toohey coughed the ball up four times—including a transition turnover where he was stripped while dribbling—while also being called for a three‑second violation and a travel in back‑to‑back possessions . These miscues painted a picture of a player finding his way in a game that moves at a significantly quicker pace than what he experienced during his two seasons with the NBL’s Sydney Kings.
Yet for every moment that showcased his inexperience, there was another that hinted at his upside. Defensively, Toohey’s energy and hustle were unmistakable. He forced a backcourt violation by using his 6‑foot‑10¾ wingspan against Pelle Larsson, rattled opposing ball‑handlers, and rebounded aggressively – grabbing six boards despite his offensive struggles. Warriors coach Lainn Wilson praised his effort and hustle, emphasizing that in the context of his first NBA‑level action, those traits aligned perfectly with what the team seeks.
Toohey, for his part, displayed humility and awareness in post‑game reflections. “I thought I struggled, thought I was good in patches, but overall wasn’t as consistent as I’d like to see,” he conceded. He acknowledged the abrupt pace, noting that NCAA and NBL defenses didn’t close off driving lanes as swiftly as NBA defenders do. The transition has been steep, but he’s far from discouraged .
This debut performance fits a broader pattern for Toohey. Throughout his development in the NBL—and earlier at the Australian Institute of Sport’s Centre of Excellence—he has shown impressive improvement year‑over‑year. After averaging eight points and four rebounds in his rookie NBL season, he boosted those averages to about 10 points, 3.7–4.0 rebounds, 1.3–1.5 steals, and shooting around 44–45% from the field and 30–31% from three-point range in his second season . His overall intelligence, court awareness, defensive instincts, and hustle have consistently stood out .
In Australia, Toohey came through the elite development pipeline—starting with Canberra’s Centre of Excellence, later joining the Sydney Kings under the NBL Next Stars program, and even earning selection to the Nike Hoops Summit World Select Team in 2023. His draft stock rose accordingly, and many mock drafts pegged him as a late first-round or early second-round candidate leading up to the 2025 draft. The Warriors’ selection at #52 reflected both belief in his upside and awareness of the work ahead—especially around perimeter shooting.
Warriors Assistant GM Larry Harris explained that what drew them in was Toohey’s combination of size, IQ, maturity, and versatility—all traits created through his Australian development pathway ([nbl.com.au][6]). That belief aligns with ongoing praise from analysts, who frame him as a high-ceiling, two-way role player with a potentially formidable impact once his jumper stabilizes .
Even within that framework, tonight’s debut is understood as part of a growing‑pains process. The NBA Summer League is notorious for its frenetic pace, high foul counts, and less structured offense—all factors that can skew developmental assessments . Wilson’s reaction reinforced that this was merely the opening chapter: Toohey played hard, showed flashes, and now gets the opportunity to evolve during the upcoming Las Vegas Summer League slate .
This sets a fascinating stage for what comes next. The Warriors, known for their emphasis on ball movement, high basketball IQ, and versatile players, seem to present a fitting environment for Toohey—a player with size, smarts, defensive commitment, and a skill set that aligns with Golden State’s system . His journey mirrors that of other Australian talents before him—like Andrew Bogut, whom Toohey himself called shortly after being drafted. Bogut’s feedback reportedly reinforced Toohey’s confidence in choosing the Warriors system .
While Toohey’s offensive contribution was modest, his free-throw efficiency and board-hunting are encouraging signs. Plus, his positioning and effort on defense—whether disrupting ball-handlers or finishing possessions through hustle—are impactful traits even if not always reflected in the box score . The next weeks in Vegas will be key: they can help his jumper find its footing, his ball security improve, and his foul management sharpen—all necessary steps for carving a lasting role.
For Toohey, Summer League is phase one of professional adaptation: getting a feel for NBA game tempo, refining decision-making under duress, and building chemistry within a new team construct. His coaches understand that adaptation takes time; his NBA pedigree—bolstered by experience under big-game pressure in Australia—indicates he’s prepared to do the work.
Looking ahead, two key questions emerge: Can he translate his defensive instincts and positional versatility consistently? And can he develop into a reliable shooter who spaces the floor? If those questions trend positive, Toohey could become a hidden gem off the bench—a stretch forward who guards switches, grabs rebounds, and moves fluidly in transition—a valuable asset in today’s NBA.
In reflecting on the debut, Toohey’s perspective shines through: a blend of realism and self-belief. “It’s definitely a jump,” he said on adjusting to the athletes and game speed. But he emphasized being “good in patches” and committed to improvement, signaling that each game is a learning opportunity.
In sum, Alex Toohey’s Warriors Summer League debut may not have produced electrifying stats, but it offered something more important: a first real glimpse of his adaptation curve, his effort-level, and the challenge ahead. For a player selected in the mid-second round, whose game has been built on development rather than instant results, that matters more than any specific 24‑minute stat line. The energy, defensive activity, and resilience he displayed in his first exposure suggest he’s capable of growing into the high‑IQ, versatile role the Warriors envisioned. Now begins the journey of transformation—from impressive draft stock to impact rotational player.
