NBL Blitz: Toohey’s time for the Kings, Wieskamp stars as Phoenix prove Kings’ match in Blitz

As Phoenix stuck its hand up as an ultra-early contender with an explosive offensive Blitz that proved too hot for the Kings, Sydney Next Star Alex Toohey’s showing may have solidified his future NBA career.

It might have only been a pre-season hitout but, if and when Sydney Next Star Alex Toohey’s name is called at the NBA Draft, we might just look back on Wednesday night as the game that solidified the 20-year-old’s ascension.

The giant basketball genius from Canberra tore up South East Melbourne in front of a gaggle of NBA scouts, who have converged on the Gold Coast to take in the NBL talent on show at the Blitz.

The essentials have always been evident in Toohey’s game but NBA types wanted to see a more precise, more consistent jumpshot and a stronger, more assertive player.

They got all that and more in a breakout 26-point effort against the Phoenix, including a perfect four-from-four from three-point land.

For large stretches Toohey was the best player on the floor — and he clearly knew it.

“I’m feeling confident with where I’m at,” Toohey told Code Sports earlier this week.

Kings young gun Alex Toohey had an impressive showing. Picture: Getty Images

“Last year started well and then dropped off, but I’m just learning from that, finding out how to just get back to the basics when my shot’s not falling.

“This year there’s obviously going to be ups and downs but I think the downs will be a lot shorter.

“It’s a bit more predictable this year with where my shots will come from, which is something that will help me being able to practice the exact game shots that I’ll get.

“So I’m feeling good with my form and positions that I will be put in.”

His first real involvement in Wednesday night’s game gave a glimpse of the fireworks to come as he caught the rock and launched from deep, deep range, splashing nothing but twine for the first of his four hits from deep.

On the very next play, Toohey bounded down the court, caught the ball in motion, saw South East Melbourne import Matt Hurt in front of him and rose up for the tough finish — hoop plus the harm.

Six quick points and a little taste of what pro season No.2 might bring turned into something of a coming-out party.

Alex Toohey was on fire in his first Blitz game 🔥

The @SydneyKings’ Next Star had a game-high in points ✨@NBLNextStarspic.twitter.com/TBcr4BydwQ

— NBL (@NBL) September 12, 2024

There’s been a clear uptick in the shot — Toohey’s second deep attempt was almost a carbon copy of the first and produced the same result: all nylon.

He found a mismatch on the break on Nathan Sobey, took a breath, patiently backed down the smaller guard, turned inside and sprung up with a nifty finish for his 11th point.

Next up, he was blowing by Phoenix forward Tom Vodanovic, rising and hanging as Hurt came across to help. Hurt’s grab of the arm cost us an early contender for dunk of the season, leaving Toohey to claim his two points at the charity stripe.

Anticipating and picking off the Phoenix, mid-court, Toohey bolted to the corner. The ball shifted to the opposite side, so a relocation under the hoop was rewarded by a bullet pass from Izayah Le’Afa — two more on a little reverse.

Point 16, 17 and 18 came on a flare out to the left wing and, you guessed it, swish.

Toohey walked to the dressing room at the half with a near-perfect 18 points on 6-7 shooting.

A couple of trips to the line in the third yielded three more, then a corner catch and shoot produced a fourth triple and nothing but the sweet sound of ball blasting through soft material.

A great individual performance but the competitive beast would be filthy his side gave up 113 points in a loss.

KING SLAYERS

Sydney might be the nominal NBL title favourites — for good reason — but South East Melbourne has stuck its hand up as an ultra-early contender with an explosive offensive Blitz that proved too hot to handle for the talent-laden Kings.

Two almost brand new rosters with higher expectations than their underachieving NBL24 campaigns went at it in an aesthetically pleasing shootout that yielded over 200 points.

The Phoenix weathered a blistering first half from the Kings to storm home with a 113-101 victory, built on the back of a sweet-shooting masterclass from import forward Joe Wieskamp.

Facing their first real test after comfortable pre-season wins over New Zealand (twice) and (Cairns), the Kings looked the part, draining 11 of their 20 three-point attempts before halftime and took a 68-63 lead into the half on the back of an 18-point breakout from young Next Star Alex Toohey.

Wieskamp got UP 🔝

Watch the Blitz ⤵️
Australia - live on Kayo 📺
International - live on YouTube 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/q2qF4I1foH

— NBL (@NBL) September 11, 2024

But, as the Phoenix found their rhythm, the Kings tightened up and could not contain Wieskamp (24 points), Nathan Sobey (20) and Matt Hurt (18).

Sydney coach Brian Goorjian would have hated the outlandish Phoenix total and their rate of conversion — 54 per cent from the field, 40 per cent from deep — given he’s built his peerless coaching career on a defence-first ethos.

And his protege at the other end Mike Kelly will take confidence that his team has the necessary arsenal to lift itself out of the doldrums and into playoff calculations.

The Kings’ talent has been well-documented but the boys from the Heartland are going to rip apart a few teams this year with their run and gun early offence and the patience and precision of their conductor Derrick Walton Jr (13 points, 7 assists).

Joe Wieskamp was in fine touch for the Phoenix. Picture: Getty Images

POT OF GOLD AT THE END OF THE WIE-SARD’S RAINBOW

When former San Antonio Spur Wieskamp launches from the three-point line, there’s usually a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for the Phoenix.

Unless you’re the Sydney Kings, who found a barrel of coal waiting for them as the American sharpshooter drained five of his six attempts from deep, producing 17 of his 24 points after halftime.

The Wies-ard turned the game early in the second half with a ridiculous unanswered run of eight points in 67 seconds in a loud warning to the rest of the NBL that he is going to be one of the most dangerous weapons in the league.

The only thing that could curb Wieskamp was the bogan screaming out “BRICK” from the Gold Coast Indoor Sports Centre stands every time he went to the free throw line — the taunts had the desired effect early as he came up short on three of his first five attempts.

His import running mate Hurt’s jumpshot is just as wet.

It’s his go-to weapon from pretty much anywhere on the floor and it launches from on high and is more a caress than a shot that slides, rather than falls through the hoop.

Angus Glover in action for the Phoenix against his former club. Picture: Getty Images

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE KINGS

It’s a bit of a shame the first meeting between the Kings and Phoenix was a pre-season game.

But there was still a little feeling in it.

The Phoenix have four former Kings championship players on their revamped roster this season, with both Jordi Hunter and Angus Glover leaving on less than ideal terms.

They started 2022 grand final MVP Derrick Walton Jr and big man Hunter who subbed out for feisty guard Glover and tough man Tom Vodanovic.

It was friendly but physical between Hunter and star King Xavier Cooks and Glover claimed an early offensive foul when he was flattened by Sydney beast Keli Leaupepe.

There’s a little bit of Phoenix flavour in Sydney, too, with guard Izayah Le’Afa two years removed from a stint in The Heartland.

Originally published as NBL Blitz: Toohey’s time for the Kings, Wieskamp stars as Phoenix prove Kings’ match in Blitz