Former star Ansett guard James Toohey cancels plans to play for Central Maine Community College Mustangs because of COVID-19

EXCLUSIVE: Star former Ansett guard James Toohey’s short-term future no longer lies in the United States after making the painstaking decision to not take up his offer to play for Central Maine Community College Mustangs.

Former star Ansett guard James Toohey has made the tough decision not to go to the US to play at collegiate level due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is still raging over there. Picture: Che Chorley

THERE’S no doubt the sky is the limit for star former Ansett guard James Toohey.

But his short-term future no longer lies in the United States after making the painstaking decision to not take up his offer to play for Central Maine Community College Mustangs.

Health concerns due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which has ravaged America led to the 19-year-old making the tough call.

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He was due to fly out in August and play at the same college as Freddy Webb, now at Mackay at the NBL1, and Lachlan Shipway, who is now a standout at Ansett.

Elijah Barbour (Essington) and Cam Duncan (Ansett) have also played for the Mustangs.

“It was a big decision, and I had to put my health first,” Toohey told the NT News.

“Travelling overseas at the moment without a vaccine is pretty dangerous.”

Mustangs coach Dave Gonyea has taken a high interest in young Darwin talent since Webb impressed him as part of his roster in 2018 and 2019.

Gonyea was upset to lose someone of Toohey’s immense talent and work ethic, but he understood the decision.

“Coach Gonyea took the decision a lot better than I expected,” Toohey said.

“He took it extremely well and understood my circumstances.

“He knew it was good for me and was very supportive of my decision to de-commit from the program.

“My goals have changed a bit, but I still want to keep playing basketball and try to go as far as I can.”

Toohey – who averaged just over 15 points per game (at an impressive almost 36 per cent from three-point range) for Ansett last year – still has plenty going for him in Melbourne.

And that has allowed him to quickly move on from his big call on his future.

Former Ansett star guard James Toohey has made the difficult decision to not proceed with his plans to play college basketball in the US from August because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Toohey is currently a part of the Eltham under-23 program in the Big V.

He will also study architecture at La Trobe University.

“The Big V Youth Championship is a very solid competition, and it’s extremely fast-paced,” Toohey said.

“It’s a lot faster than anything I’ve experienced before.”

Toohey admits he is still adjusting to the super-competitive nature of the Big V Youth League.

“My minutes have varied, and it’s been hard to get going after coming on off the bench for three or four minutes when I’m used to playing 30 or 40 minutes,” he said.

“I haven’t shot the ball well.

“But I’m working hard and hopefully for the second half of the competition I’ll be up to speed.”

Toohey is confident he made the right call by staying in Melbourne.

“It would’ve been a completely different experience going over there. You learn life lessons while living abroad,” he said. “Living with your teammates you have the same goals and mindset, so I might regret it. But I still think I made a good decision.”