Two Next Stars from Australia are currently projected to be selected in the first round at the NBA Draft, per respected journalist Sam Vecenie.

Rocco Zikarsky of the Brisbane Bullets sits at #22, while Alex Toohey of the Sydney Kings is ranked at #24, a testament to his impressive start to the NBL25 season. 

Zikarsky is described as “one of the most intriguing big prospects in the world right now”, and evaluated as “a legitimate 7-3 giant of a human who also moves well and has excellent hands”.

Vecenie’s intel on Toohey couldn't be more clear: “He was the player who I got the most positive feedback on from sources among the younger players who went through the Australian Olympic camp”.

He is rising in any projection and establishing himself as a legit option among the top 30 players in the 2025 NBA Draft. 

The other Next Star projected to be drafted by The Athletic is Izan Almansa with the Perth Wildcats, who is viewed as a potential pick at #54. Teammate Ben Henshall is also viewed as an intriguing prospect, and currently ranked at #53.