The Golden State Warriors have built a bit of a reputation for finding gems late in the draft, and early returns from rookie Will Richard are only adding to that narrative. But while Richard’s strong start is drawing plenty of attention, it’s casting a long shadow over another rookie the Warriors picked just a few spots earlier-Alex Toohey. And right now, Toohey’s NBA journey is off to a rocky start.
Toohey came into the league with a solid résumé from the NBL, Australia’s top professional league, where he spent two seasons with the Sydney Kings. Last year, as a 20-year-old, he posted respectable numbers: 10.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 assists per game on 45.2% shooting from the floor. His three-point shot-just 30.2%-was still a work in progress, but scouts intrigued by his size and feel for the game saw him as a potential stretch four with upside if the jumper came around.
That projection hasn’t materialized yet.
Toohey hasn’t had much of a chance to show what he can do in regular-season NBA action, but his limited opportunities haven’t exactly moved the needle. In six summer league games, he averaged just 6.8 points and 3.8 boards while shooting a tough-to-watch 26.2% from the field.
The speed and physicality of the NBA game seemed to catch him off guard-a concern that was already on the radar for some scouts during the pre-draft process. Questions about his athleticism and ability to defend at the NBA level haven’t gone away.
Despite the underwhelming summer, Golden State still offered Toohey a two-way contract, giving him a chance to develop with the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League. Unfortunately, a knee injury kept him sidelined through the preseason and much of the early G League schedule.
He’s now logged two appearances with Santa Cruz, but the results have been modest. In over 39 minutes of game time, Toohey has tallied 14 points and 6 rebounds on 5-for-14 shooting.
He’s knocked down two of his five three-point attempts, which is a small positive, but overall, he’s still finding his footing in a league known for its fast pace and high scoring.
This isn’t to say the book is closed on Toohey-not by a long shot. Development isn’t linear, and plenty of players have taken time to adjust to the NBA’s demands, especially those coming from international leagues.
The Warriors have found success with late picks before. Trayce Jackson-Davis, Quinten Post, and now Will Richard have all shown they can contribute.
That track record gives Toohey a bit of a cushion, but he’ll need to start showing signs of progress soon if he wants to join that group.
For now, Toohey remains a work in progress. The Warriors clearly saw something in him worth investing in, and there’s still time for that investment to pay off. But as the early season unfolds, it’s clear that while one rookie is making waves, the other is still trying to find his rhythm in the deep waters of the NBA.