Revealed: Next Stars of the 2025 NBA Draft

• Sydney Kings' forward Alex Toohey projected Pick 31
• Duke Blue Devils star Tyrese Proctor projected Pick 42
• Spanish forward Izan Almansa projected Pick 55

The Athletic has released its first NBA Mock Draft of 2025 and its stacked with NBL Next Stars projected to go in the second round.

The NBL's Next Stars program is a groundbreaking set-up that offers top young basketball talent a unique pathway to the NBA through Australia's premier professional league.

Officially launched in the 2018-19 season, the Next Stars program quickly gained traction as a viable alternative to college for NBA-bound talent. The program's early years nurtured future NBA stars such as LaMelo Ball and Josh Giddey.

Four NBL Next Stars and an Australian NCAA star-in-the-making are projected to be drafted in 2025. This is where the Athletic ranked them:

‍Pick 31: Alex Toohey
Projected at pick 31, Alex Toohey has emerged as a standout among the NBL's Next Stars.  The 20-year-old swingman dropped a team-high 25 points in the Sydney Kings tough 111-108 home loss to the Illawarra Hawks on Christmas Day at Qudos Bank Arena.

Former Sydney Kings captain and now NBL colour commentator Brad Rosen was court side for Toohey's NBL career high.

"What makes Alex special is his versatility," Rosen said.

"He can carry the ball, has great footwork, is a good defender and has length. Perfect body for the NBA. If he could work on his shot, he has the capability to forge out a career similar to Joe Ingles.

"That is a very big statement, I know, but he just seems to be getting better and better as this season goes on.

"He has been extremely impressive. He is also a very smart and educated basketballer."

Pick 39: Rocco Zikarsky‍

Slated for selection at pick 39, Rocco Zikarsky is a towering presence for the Brisbane Bullets. Standing at 7-foot-3 with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, the Sunshine Coast local’s defensive prowess and shot-blocking abilities have been pivotal for the Bullets as they make a push for the 2025 NBL Playoffs. The sophomore Next Star’s development is being closely monitored by NBA scouts, with other projections placing him as a potential first-round pick.

Pick 42: Tyrese Proctor‍

At pick 42, combo guard Tyrese Proctor is having an impressive season along side a stacked team at Duke University, including consensus No.1 pick favourite Cooper Flagg. Averaging 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists during his junior season, Proctor is leading from the front as his Duke Blue Devils sit atop the Atlantic Coast Conference at 5-0.

Pick 54: Ben Henshall‍

Slotted at pick 54, the emerging guard is thriving under John Rillie’s tutelage in his second season in the NBL. Henshall has turned his impressive sophomore season into appearances on the national stage, where he thrives in the most recent FIBA break against South Korea and Thailand. The 20-year-old has been able to soak up moments from his more experienced Boomers teammates, as he regularly is in contact with Josh Giddey and cherishes the time he learned from Boomers legend Patty Mills at a previous national team training camp.

Pick 55: Izan Almansa
Projected at pick 55 for back-to-back picks from the Perth Wildcats, Spanish forward Izan Almansa joined the Perth Wildcats as part of the NBL's Next Stars program. The athletic big man has had a front-row ticket to Bryce Cotton’s exploits this NBL season, and is happy with his progression in his first season in Australia.

"I’ve been shooting the ball. I need to improve my shooting but in general I feel like I have taken a step forward in my game in all of the aspects. I’m very happy with my improvement,” he said.

"I have more confidence and I play the way I play every timeI step on the court. It’s been good to get more confidence and know more about how to play with my teammates."