Toohey credits NBL for being ready

While former Next Star Alex Toohey is still working back from injury, the 22-year-old is with the Golden State Warriors in Las Vegas and taking it all in his stride.

“I’m taking it a day at a time but slowly progressing… developing and getting back into live play,” he said.

“It’s tough to get yourself back up to speed, but I think just kind of taking it as a steady progression and not setting a timeline of when I’m back… just making sure I’m taking steps in the right direction.”

Toohey underwent surgery on his knee in December and is hoping to be back at the beginning of the NBA season.

After leaving the Sydney Kings in 2025, the NBL’s Next Generation Award winner believes the NBL helped prepare him for the challenges of making the leap to the NBA.

“I think just being able to be a pro,” he said.

“You get thrown into the deep end a little bit and you’re playing with some of the best players in the world and there’s not much time to develop.

“It’s kind of if you’re ready, you’re ready.

“And that kind of struggle and that cycle of getting beat up at the start, and then obviously Karim how he developed that second year, I think myself as well… just that progression of ‘Alright it’s tough,’ but you get used to it and you kind of adapt and understand how the game is played.”

When it comes to the major difference between adapting to the NBA, Toohey says it’s a simple one.

“The speed of play,” he said.

“The athletes here are on another level, and everyone can jump out of the gym…

“You don’t get the time to make decisions like you do in the NBL.

“So, kind of getting used to making decisions at higher speeds and making the right decisions as well.”