Alex Toohey - NBA Draft Analysis

In-depth analysis by ReverseEnigma

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Alex Toohey

Scouting Writeup

By ReverseEnigma |

Projected NBA Role

Smart, low-usage connective forward with strong defensive instincts, cutting craft, and ball movement skills. Offensive value hinges on spot-up shooting development, but offers versatility as a switchable team defender and transition threat.

Swing Skill

Catch-and-Shoot Consistency: improving shot mechanics under pressure and shooting confidence is essential to becoming a reliable floor spacer; Lateral Agility and Flexibility: enhanced footwork and mobility will help him hold up against quicker wings; Strength and Finishing Through Contact: building core power and improving touch at the rim will allow him to convert off straight-line drives; Screen Navigation and Closeout Discipline: continued growth in defensive technique will allow him to stay on the floor in playoff settings

NBA Player Comparisons

Ceiling

Otto Porter Jr. (high-IQ combo forward who spaces the floor, defends smartly, and adds subtle value to every lineup without needing touches)

Median

Josh Green (off-ball wing who brings connective passing, cutting, and multi-positional defense with developing spot-up shooting)

Floor

Sam Dekker (versatile forward who never fully developed a jumper and struggled to stick due to athletic limitations)

Background

Alex Toohey Position: Forward Height: 6'7.75" Weight: 222.8 lbs Wingspan: 6'10.75" Age: 20

Full Analysis

Offense Alex Toohey brings a versatile, high-IQ skill set that lends itself well to the modern NBA connective forward role, but his offensive success at the next level will hinge on whether the jumper becomes dependable. While he was once touted as a shooter coming out of the NBA Global Academy, Toohey’s actual shooting percentages have consistently trailed the eye test. Despite smooth mechanics, a confident release, and size that allows him to shoot over contests, Toohey has only hit around 29% of his threes across two NBL seasons and just 73.8% from the line, modest returns for a player projected to be a floor spacer. Most of Toohey’s scoring diet consists of spot-ups, cuts, and transition finishes. He rarely self-creates and struggles to generate space off the bounce due to limited burst and a basic handle. On closeouts, he’s a straight-line attacker who relies on stride length and a fluid eurostep (particularly to his left) rather than shake or vertical pop. He’ll finish plays with finesse rather than power, and he’s not one to elevate in traffic without a runway. What keeps his offensive floor afloat is his excellent feel for the game. Toohey processes quickly, rarely forces shots, and excels at swinging the ball in rhythm. He’s a smart extra passer who plays within structure, aiding ball movement rather than stalling it. His assist-to-turnover ratios have been positive throughout his pro career, reflecting his awareness and composure under pressure. Transition is another area of strength. Toohey consistently leaks out, runs the floor hard, and has a knack for finding seams early. He’s functional with the ball in the open floor and can take it coast-to-coast with long, decisive strides. He’s also a savvy cutter, ranking in the 88th percentile on Synergy cut possessions, which adds another layer to his off-ball value in movement-heavy offensive systems. The downside is his limited versatility as a scorer. He doesn’t shoot on the move, hasn’t shown pull-up equity, and has barely taken threes off screens. Without marked improvement from beyond the arc, defenses may feel comfortable sagging off him, compromising spacing. Defense Toohey’s defensive projection is more encouraging. He’s grown significantly in his second NBL season, becoming a more complete, attentive, and impactful team defender. With a strong 6’10.75” wingspan and NBA-ready frame, he’s built to guard 3s and 4s while holding up on switches in the right context. His 3.1 STL% and 3.8 BLK% this season illustrate his growing activity and anticipation, especially off-ball. As a help defender, Toohey thrives. He reads rotations well, jumps passing lanes aggressively, and closes ground with surprising range despite average verticality and tight hips. He consistently makes the right reads and disrupts timing without compromising positioning, making him valuable in zone schemes or in teams that emphasize help-side activity and team communication. On-ball, the picture is more mixed. Toohey’s footspeed and flexibility are below NBA standards when guarding quick guards or twitchy wings. He struggles to change direction and can get blown by at the point of attack. That said, he’s tough, rarely gives up on plays, and does a good job walling up against post scorers or bigger wings. His best use will be against second-side initiators and off-ball scorers, where his strength, effort, and awareness can shine. He also holds up well through screens, navigating hand-offs and staying attached enough to contest or recover. His discipline and multiple-effort motor show up regularly, traits that NBA coaches value in rotation wings. Looking Ahead Alex Toohey’s evaluation is full of gray areas. He’s not a clear positive in any one offensive skill, particularly not in shooting, which was supposed to be his carrying trait, but he also doesn’t have glaring holes in terms of feel, processing, or physical tools. He’s a plus decision-maker with excellent defensive instincts, good size, and a clean shooting form that suggests room for growth. However, he lacks explosiveness and lateral mobility, which places pressure on his shot to fall consistently. Without that, he may struggle to hold value as an off-ball forward in the NBA, where shooting and switchability are mandatory. If Toohey can shoot closer to league average from three, particularly off the catch in both corners and above the break, his combination of defense, passing, and basketball IQ could make him a valuable low-usage glue guy in a playoff rotation. If the shot doesn’t come around, his margins get much tighter, and he risks falling into the category of a skillful but athletically capped tweener. At this stage, he’s best projected as a second-round pick or priority two-way player for a team that runs a structured offense, values smart defenders, and has the infrastructure to develop wing shooting. With the right context, Toohey could become a low-maintenance, high-IQ rotation piece, an archetype every contender wants in their back pocket.

Analysis by ReverseEnigma