NBA 2025: Australians at the NBA Draft combine, latest intel, news, Alex Condon returning to Florida, Rocco Zikarsky measurements

Condon was largely expected to be the only Australian generating first-round buzz in this year’s draft class, but that may have changed.

ESPN’s draft expert Jonathan Givony wrote that Sydney Kings Next Star Alex Toohey has given himself a “much stronger case for first-round consideration than he had” entering the combine.

“He measured better than expected, 6-foot-9 in shoes with a near 6-11 wingspan, giving him ample size to slide to the power forward position long-term as his 223-pound frame fills out,” added Givony.

“He has also shot the ball pretty well, especially considering he came in with relatively low expectations as a career 28% 3-point shooter through two seasons in the Australian NBL.

“He hit 61% of his aggregate jumpers in the drills — toward the middle of the pack of all players — and surprised by converting 3-of-5 3-point attempts, stepping into open looks with confidence and solid mechanics that leave plenty of room for optimism.

“Toohey also did all the other things he usually does, showing his feel for the game being in the right spots defensively and forcing misses guarding wings and forwards alike while moving the ball unselfishly with his team-oriented style. He was the second-best scorer in his scrimmage’s win, but showed he can contribute in other areas as well.

“Overall, Toohey has helped his standing and has much to gain with another strong showing on Thursday.”

Toohey, who told ESPN earlier in the month that he was “gonna surprise some people” at the combine, has done just that along with — as Givony put it — “doing all the little stuff he typically brings with his passing, defensive instincts and strong feel for the game”.

Toohey told reporters at the combine that improving as a shooter and floor-spacer was a big focus for him, although he also developed into more than just a 3-and-D guy in his second year with the Kings under the coaching of Brian Goorjian.

Toohey told foxsports.com.au earlier this year that the 3-ball was “defining if I had a good game or bad game” in his first season at Sydney, but a sit-down with his new coach gave the 21-year-old a fresh outlook on his role in the team.

“Reflecting on last year and deciding whether or not to go in the draft and stay, I guess I kind of had that intrinsic feeling where I didn’t feel ready,” Toohey said this week.

“I think going back to Sydney for a second year and having a good coach come in and having some high-level players around us, it made me feel a little bit more confident about that second year… I kind of just feel ready now.”

Although being ready for the NBA isn’t something Toohey and a lot of the Australians at this week’s combine need to worry about given they all spent time perfecting their game in their early teenage years, be it at the CoE or Global Academy.

“Being in that pro environment early on when you’re a teenager, you kind of get to develop those professional habits that you’ve got to carry on for hopefully a long career,” Toohey, who joined the Academy and CoE in 2020, said.

He has also benefited from two years in the NBL, “competing with grown me trying to feed their family”, although Toohey said that toughness is something you will find with all six Australians at the combine.

“We train hard, we play hard, we don’t whinge and make excuses,” he added.

“I think just being hard-nosed players who played different roles, supporting your teammates… and across the board being good people and wanting to win no matter what.”

Toohey made 15 of 25 attempts in the 3-point star shooting drill, 12-of-25 in the spot-up drill, 17-of-30 off dribble and all 10 free throws.

TYRESE PROCTOR (Duke)

While there is a chance Condon could return to Florida, Tyrese Proctor shut the door on any possible return for a senior season at Duke.

“I’ve always said I’m 100 per cent in or 100 per cent out,” he said.

“I’m happy with my decision. I loved being at Duke. I wish I could (go back), but I am 100 per cent in. (Duke) was really good with all that.”

Proctor was once a potential lottery pick, with ESPN projecting him at 12th overall in its way-too-early mock draft in June 2023 before injuries and inconsistent shooting saw the Australian tumble down boards.

With that in mind, it was no surprise to see Proctor tell reporters this week that he hasn’t been paying attention to mocks ahead of next month’s draft.

For what it’s worth, most draft experts seem to have the Australian slotted in the early to mid second round, which makes plenty of sense for any team wanting to take a high-upside swing.

Of course, there are still aspects of Proctor’s game that should set him up to immediately push for minutes in the NBA, led by his perimeter defence while he remains the best shot creator out of all the Australians in this year’s class.

He stands out from the other six as a confident passer and has also made improvements as a shooter both off the catch and off the dribble.

Proctor told reporters at the combine that he watched a lot of Allen Iverson, Jamal Crawford, Jamal Murray and Chris Paul growing up, paying specific attention to their work in the pick-and-roll.

As for an underrated aspect of his game?

“My defence, Proctor said.

“I take a lot of pride in guarding and playing defence.”

There were games during Duke’s run to the Final Four where Proctor’s confidence dipped depending on whether his shots were falling or not, but coach Jon Scheyer was certainly willing to give him a ringing endorsement near the end of the Blue Devils’ season.

“For this to happen for Tyrese, to be hitting seven threes and be our key guy and all that after going through all these moments — like if I’m an NBA team, I’m going after him because you have to handle adversity,” Scheyer said during Proctor’s best stretch of the season.

“I think that speaks a lot to his character.”

You can read more about Proctor’s adversity throughout his Duke career here, but for the time being his focus is on the combine.

Proctor told reporters “being present is a big thing” for him. So there’s no looking at mock drafts or where he could fall, or where he had fallen in the past for Duke.

As for his shooting at the combine, Proctor made 14 of 25 attempts in the 3-point star shooting drill, 12-of-25 in the spot-up drill, 20-of-30 off dribble and seven of 10 free throws.

LACHLAN OLBRICH (Illawarra Hawks)

A genuine bolter.

Olbrich didn’t feature in mock drafts and was 77th on ESPN’s big board but an impressive G League Elite camp and call-up for the combine has rocketed him into contention to have his name called next month.

The Illawarra Hawks championship winner had 31 points and 17 rebounds across two scrimmages at the camp and was a late entrant to the combine, where he continued to announce himself as a name to watch.

“The 21-year-old showcased his competitiveness and physicality on the defensive end, worked hard on the glass and has been one of the most vocal players in the gym all week,” ESPN’s Jeremy Woo wrote.

“While not the most skilled offensively, Olbrich showed touch around the rim with both hands and converted the opportunities that came his way. He has proven reliable, if not flashy, like many Australian bigs who have come before him.

“Although he is undersized to play center by NBA standards and isn’t a threat to shoot from long range, there’s plenty to like about Olbrich’s intangibles, feel and understanding of his own strengths as an energy big.

“As an auto-eligible international player, Olbrich has certainly helped his chances of hearing his name called in June, and could be a candidate for a two-way contract with the momentum he’s built in Chicago.”

Olbrich had 13 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block in the first scrimmage of Day 3 of the combine, building on a 15-point, 10-rebound, two-assist effort on Day 2.

Speaking to reporters at the combine, Olbrich — like Toohey — said Sengun is one NBA player he looks to model his game off.

“I really think (we are) similar with how we dribble the ball and use our body to create advantages and finish around the rim,” he said.

Olbrich made 12 of 25 attempts in the 3-point star shooting drill, 15-of-25 in the spot-up drill, 16-of-30 off dribble and seven of 10 free throws.

ROCCO ZIKARSKY (Brisbane Bullets)

There was first-round buzz for Zikarsky entering the year, but he didn’t exactly live up to the hype despite seeing increased minutes in his second season with the Brisbane Bullets.

Nonetheless, the expectation is that the 18-year-old will still hear his name called in the second round of next month’s draft given his sky-high upside at 7-foot-3 with a 7-4 wingspan.

ESPN’s Jeremy Woo had Zikarsky as one of his players to watch ahead of this week’s combine, writing that NBA front offices “have been intrigued by his size and unique background dating back several years”.

For reference, Zikarsky’s father won bronze for Germany in swimming at the 1996 Olympics while his mother was an Australian champion ironwoman.

Zikarsky himself once dreamed of donning the green and gold at the Olympics, having won the 50m freestyle at the National School Swimming Championships when he was just 14 years old.

But on that very same day he took out top spot in the 50m freestyle, Marty Clarke and the NBA Global Academy came calling. The rest is history.

As for how NBA teams view him now after an underwhelming second season with the Bullets, it seems like they still understand that Zikarsky is very much a work-in-progress and one that it is worth being patient with.

After all, the reward could be massive.

“He still has a lot to offer physically, with good co-ordination for his size and the ability to impact shots around the rim,” Woo wrote.

“However, his ability to make a major impact and secure a larger role, stemming partially from his struggles to keep up with faster-paced games, moved NBA teams into wait-and-see mode in his draft timeline.

“… Zikarsky, the tallest listed player invited to the combine, has the stage to remind teams why he’s worth a developmental investment… Zikarsky needs to continue gaining experience, but players with his physical profile aren’t easy to find.

“With this draft light on centers and with a wave of college players expected to return to school for bigger paydays, there’s an opportunity for Zikarsky to help himself with a good showing.”

Zikarsky participated in the pro lane agility and shooting drills, while he also impressed in the standing vertical jump test with what ESPN’s Jonathan Givony described as an “outrageous” 9-foot-6 ½ standing reach.