NBL 2023: Young Australian star Alex Toohey on signing with the Sydney Kings and the Under-19s FIBA World Cup

The Under-19s World Cup is on right now in Hungary – but Australia didn’t qualify after a tough decision that was made last year. And NBL Next Star Alex Toohey still isn’t happy.

A generation of rising Australian basketballers have been robbed a chance to play in the Under-19s World Cup, prompting star forward Alex Toohey to declare this year’s tournament will have an “asterisk” against it.

Last August, Basketball Australia chose not to send the group of teenagers to Iran for the U18 Asia Cup amid a heightened security threat.

The event was a path to qualification for the World Cup currently being played in Hungary from June 24 to July 2.

The Australians had to forfeit after opting against playing in Iran and didn’t qualify for the Cup, despite being among the top four nations in the world.

It came as the Australian Federal Government issued the highest threat alert, with a “Do not travel” to Iran warning on their Smartraveller website.

Teenage Australian Boomer Alex Toohey in action during FIBA World Cup qualifiers. Picture: Supplied

Switzerland, the home of the FIBA headquarters in Mies, was also not recommending travel to Iran for tourist trips and any other trips that weren’t an emergency following growing unrest in the Middle East country.

The Australian 19s players, including Toohey, were “shattered” with FIBA’s decision to deny Australia World Cup qualification in an event that has helped the likes of Andrew Bogut, Dante Exum, Josh Giddey and Tyrese Proctor launch their international and domestic careers.

Australia won the tournament led by an MVP performance from Bogut in 2003 while the Emus have also finished second (1995) and fourth in 2009 and 2013.

The current crop of 19s stars have moved on but remain disappointed with FIBA’s decision to snub them from the 2023 World Cup.

Quizzed if the 19s World Cup will have an “asterisk” against it given countries like Australia aren’t playing, Toohey replied: “I think you can definitely put that argument in.

“It has been tough not being able to compete in it (the World Cup).

“We would have loved to come together for one last run in the World Cup, but that isn’t available to us.

“The team we would have had would’ve been very competitive, but we can’t change that now and all we can do is move on and everyone can go their own way.

“There are always reasons, but at the end of the day we’re not there so we can’t really change much with it.”

Teenage Australian Boomer Alex Toohey in action during FIBA World Cup qualifiers. Picture: Supplied

The DFAT also warned arrests of foreign nationals in Iran had spiked on the back of countrywide protests following the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini by Iranian morality police for allegedly breaking the strict hijab rules.

A revolutionary court in Iran issued the first death penalty against a protester and another court sentenced five others from five to 10 years in jail each.

Basketball Australia’s priority was to put player safety first for the 19s side, but they also had to consider players in the mix for US College positions.

US immigration may block entry into the United States if a person has visited Iran.

Asked last year if FIBA acknowledged the concerns BA and parents had in making the decision to keep the group of teenagers out of the strife-torn country, a spokesperson replied with: “in order to qualify for the FIBA U19 World Cup, a team had to finish in the top four of the FIBA U18 Asian Championship. The following teams qualified: Korea, Japan, China and Lebanon.”

POWER OF NEXT STARS A DRIVER FOR TOOHEY

Toohey officially signed with US College Gonzaga last November, but it didn’t take long for the doubts to emerge.

It’s understood the Canberra-born talent became torn about his future direction early in the New Year after discussions with the NBL and the Kings.

Toohey was impressed with the Next Stars program, which has produced NBA stars like LaMelo Ball and Australian’s own Josh Giddey.

Introducing our newest King, @tooheyy 👑

We all can’t wait to see what this @NBL Next Star does next season at @qudosbankarena!#WeTheKings#NBL24pic.twitter.com/C0p0fwJYJ4

— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) June 26, 2023

Toohey wants to follow a similar path to Xavier Cooks. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

After plenty of deliberation, the rising forward finally made his decision to link with Sydney just a week before he was set to enrol and arrive at Gonzaga.

“When it came down to it, I felt like this was the right decision for me to get to where I’m trying to be – which is the NBA,” he said.

“The Next Star program and its history (also played a role). The program has had so many players go on to that next level, especially seeing Sydney and how much they have helped their players.

“Xavier Cooks is the most recent example and trying to follow in those footsteps is something I’m really excited for.”

Toohey revealed he hopes to play in the three (small forward) position for the Kings this season.

He believes his versatility – which includes being able to ball handle like a guard or step up to power forward, perfectly complements Sydney’s roster.

𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐓𝐎𝐎𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄!

Get excited Kings fans, as @tooheyy is one of Australia's most promising young basketball stars and we can't wait to see him in the purple and gold in #NBL24 💜💛

📰: https://t.co/rO2QAxt0iY#WeTheKingspic.twitter.com/NMtfpMrssg

— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) June 24, 2023

Toohey is also itching to connect with a Kings club loaded with NBA experience from the court to the coach and the boardroom.

“Being a professional basketball player has always been a dream of mine and to be at such a great club like the Sydney Kings and an awesome program like the Next Stars, it is something I’m really looking forward to,” he said.

“The Kings have always been the club that I’ve looked up to as the top of the NBL for many reasons, especially the way they develop their players.

“The new coach (Mahmoud Abdelfattah) is also going to run the team well and bring a lot of expertise from the NBA, so I can’t wait.”

Originally published as NBL 2023: Young Australian star Alex Toohey on signing with the Sydney Kings and the Under-19s FIBA World Cup