Australia looking to continue rich NBA Draft history with six players in the mix

The latest Australian influx of stars ready to take on the NBA is here - and they could be a record-breaking group. Meet the stars ready for their names to be called at this year’s draft.

From the tallest player in the draft to a recently crowned NCAA champion who was on Collingwood’s AFL radar and an NBL Next Star aiming to “surprise”, the 2025 NBA draft is littered with six Aussie stars hoping to make their dreams a reality.

In a bid to prepare for June’s draft, potential draftees were recently put through their paces at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.

The six Australians in action impressed during the week-long event, which tests and measures players for the realities of competing in the world’s best league.

Code Sports takes a look at how each player fared at the combine, how they feel and where they are predicted to finish in June’s draft.

Australia’s record for players drafted in one year is four – when in 1997 – Chris Anstey (Dallas – 18th pick), CJ Bruton (LA Lakers – 57th pick), Paul Rogers (Toronto – 53rd pick) and Ben Pepper (Boston – 55th pick) were all selected.

Could this record be broken in 2025?

Only one Australian – Johnny Furphy to Indiana last season with the 35th pick – has been drafted in the past two years, but it feels like another Aussie influx into the NBA is brewing.

Alex Toohey, Lachlan Olbrich, and Ben Henshall all impressed at the NBA Draft Combine 📈

Will we see all three of them in the NBA next season? 👀 pic.twitter.com/EyhtbDU8qn

— NBL (@NBL) May 17, 2025

ALEX TOOHEY (SYDNEY KINGS)

Toohey headed into the combine as a predicted second-round pick, but standout efforts in Chicago has him perfectly placed to rise up the standings.

And it appears the draft scouts agree, with ESPN analyst Jonathan Givony declaring the Kings young gun now has a “much stronger case for first-round consideration”.

According to Givony, Toohey measured better than expected via a near 6-11 wingspan and a 223-pound frame that can help him excel in the NBA.

Australian Alex Toohey has helped himself at the NBA draft combine, measuring well, shooting 3/5 for 3 in the scrimmage, and doing all the little stuff he typically brings with his passing, defensive instincts and strong feel for the game. pic.twitter.com/35SXgVRYZz

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 15, 2025

The Canberra-born forward also showcased significant shooting improvement. He shot 28 per cent from three in the NBL last season, but hit 61 per cent of his aggregate jumpers in the drills.

Toohey also nailed 3 of 5 three-point attempts, while dropping 15 points, three rebounds and two assists in a scrimmage win.

He believes a second NBL season with the Kings as prepared him for the NBA draft.

“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,” Toohey told reporters.

Predicted draft spot: 39th pick to Toronto Raptors (second-round) via ESPN

TYRESE PROCTOR (DUKE)

Proctor looked set to be a potential lottery pick based off 2023 draft predictions before injury and inconsistent shooting intervened.

The Sydney-born guard enjoyed mixed US college form with Duke over a two-season span, despite helping the Blue Devils reach the March Madness semis.

Tyrese Proctor has slipped from potential lottery pick to a second-round option. Picture: Getty

Proctor remains an elite perimeter defender and a guy strongly rated as the best shot creator in this Australian draft class.

He produced middle of the road shooting performances during the combine – including 12-of-25 in the spot-up drill, 20-of-30 off dribble, 14 of 25 attempts in the 3-point shooting drill and seven of 10 free throws.

Proctor’s focus heading into the draft will be “being present” in a bid to block out all the noise that comes with the predictions.

Predicted draft spot: 51st pick to LA Clippers (second-round) via ESPN

ALEX CONDON (FLORIDA)

Condon – a proud Perth product – is on a high after helping the Florida Gators win this year’s NCAA March Madness championship.

As it stands, though, there is no guarantee the gifted big man enters the draft as he weighs up a final US College season with the Gators.

Condon came across has genuinely in two minds when he spoke to reports at the combine.

Florida’s Alex Condon showcased his versatile skillset to NBA execs at the Excel Sports Pro Day in Chicago. The 20-year-old Aussie and national champion big is testing the Draft process while leaving the door open for a return. Has first-round interest. pic.twitter.com/zJRRbDjepv

— Jacob Myers (@League_Him) May 18, 2025

“I’m kind of in that 20-35 range but it has to be a good situation (to stay in the draft,” said Condon, who made 16-of-30 off dribble, 13 of 25 attempts in the 3-point shooting drill and seven of 10 free throws.

“I’ve got a good situation waiting for me at Florida. I’ve got teammates that I just won a national championship with.

“The feedback I’m getting from teams right now is positive, and I’m ready to stay in if I need to.”

On the plus side, Condon is just 20 and has time on his side.

The rising big man could easily take the patient road and still reach the NBA when it suits.

The main thing – from a basketball perspective – is that Condon isn’t lost to the sport.

He had signed with Collingwood as a category B rookie in 2024, but it was agreed the contract would be voided if he signed with an NBA team.

Predicted draft spot: 38th pick to the San Antonio Spurs (second-round) via ESPN

ROCCO ZIKARSKY (BRISBANE BULLETS)

Zikarsky is coming off an underwhelming second NBL season with the Brisbane Bullets – averaging just 4.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 18 games – but when you stand at 7-foot-3 as the tallest player in the draft you’ll always spark the interest of NBA teams.

The 18-year-old - who possesses a remarkable 7’4 wingspan – is viewed by many NBA scouts as a developmental prospect given his age and current form.

Rocco Zikarsky shooting on the move 3s at 7-foot-4 in the star shooting drill at the NBA draft combine pic.twitter.com/uxsOoiQWDd

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 13, 2025

Zikarsky showcased glimpses of his potential at the combine – as shown via an “outrageous” 9-foot-6 ½ standing reach in the standing vertical jump test.

He made 14-of-30 off dribble, 13 of 25 attempts in the 3-point shooting drill and nine of 10 free throws.

Predicted draft spot: 46th pick to the Orlando Magic (second-round) via ESPN

LACHLAN OLBRICH (ILLAWARRA HAWKS)

Olbrich hasn’t appeared on mock draft boards, but he has surged into calculations after a standout G League Elite camp and a combine invite.

The championship-winning Illawarra Hawks big man dropped a combined 31 points and 17 rebounds across two scrimmages at the G League camp.

Australian prospect and @NBL champion Lachlan Olbrich talks about what he can bring to an NBA team after posting the first double-double (16 PTS, 10 REB) at this year’s #GLeagueEliteCamppic.twitter.com/EpYgELemib

— NBA G League (@nbagleague) May 11, 2025

Olbrich continued this confident form at the combine in Chicago – knocking down consecutive double-doubles in his two scrimmages.

He also made 15-of-25 in the spot-up drill, 12 of 25 attempts in the 3-point shooting drill and seven of 10 free throws.

Olbrich – who stands at 6’10 – is considered undersized for the NBA compared to traditional bigs – but he has the potential to be picked up as a second-round pick or receive a two-way contract.

Predicted draft spot:Doesn’t feature in ESPN’s latest mock draft

BEN HENSHALL (PERTH WILDCATS)

Henshall is tipped to be a potential late second-round selection. The rising Perth Wildcats guard produced a solid combine showing, including 10 points and three rebounds in a scrimmage. He was inconsistent in the shooting drills, nailing 12-25 in the three-point challenge, but knocked down all 10 free throws.

Ben Henshall of the Wildcats is an outside chance to be drafted next month: Getty

It’s Henshall’s “dream” to reach the NBA – and even if it doesn’t happen immediately via the draft – he could secure a two-way deal or an opportunity to impress at the Summer League.

Predicted draft spot: Doesn’t feature in ESPN’s latest mock draft

*2025 NBA DRAFT

Barclays Center, Brooklyn

Thursday, June 26 from 10am (AEST) on ESPN and Kayo

Originally published as Australia looking to continue rich NBA Draft history with six players in the mix