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Important SN update for Southland28-year first: Four Australians selected in the 2025 NBA Draft
Jaiden Sciberras • June 27th, 2025 4:24 pm
Four Australian basketball prospects have been selected to play in the National Basketball Association, all drafted in the second round of the NBA Draft.
The first Aussie off the board was taken with the 45th pick, with the Minnesota Timberwolves (acquiring the pick via Chicago) selecting center Rocco Zikarsky from the Brisbane Bullets.
Standing at 7’2”, Zikarsky presents as a selection based on major upside. Having averaged just 4.6 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in the NBL this season, the Timberwolves will view the 18-year-old as a future prospect, with his 9’6” standing reach and above average athleticism presenting all the tools to excel on the defensive end.
With the 49th pick, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected guard Tyrese Proctor from Duke University.
Standing at 6’5” and operating as a supporting guard alongside first overall pick Cooper Flagg, the 21-year-old presents as a steal at Pick 49, averaging 11 points, three rebounds and three assists while shooting an efficient 42.1 per cent from the field.
With the 52nd pick, the Golden State Warriors (acquired from the Phoenix Suns) selected Alex Toohey from the Sydney Kings.
The 6’8” 21-year-old presents as a strong defensive forward, averaging over a steal and just under a block a game throughout the 2024/25 NBL season to go with 10.6 points and four boards.
The final Aussie taken in the draft was taken with the 55th overall pick, as the Chicago Bulls (acquired from the LA Lakers) selected Lachlan Olbrich from the Illawara Hawks.
Averaging just under nine points and four boards in limited minutes in the NBL this season, the 6’9” undersized big will also present as a future prospect, with the 21-year-old expected to be handed a two-way deal with the Bulls off the back of the draft.
The 2025 NBA Draft presents as the first since 1997 in which four Australian talents have been selected.
1997, headlined by San Antonio's selection of Tim Duncan with the first overall pick, saw Chris Anstey (18), CJ Bruton (52), Paul Rogers (53) and Ben Pepper (55) all selected, with Anstey being the only of the four to feature at NBA level.
Following this year’s draft, there are now 20 Australians residing on an NBA list, highlighted by Chicago’s Josh Giddey and Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels.
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