Observing Alex Toohey, Malique Lewis, and Owen Foxwell in a 2024 NBL Blitz Game

October 1st, 2024

Alex Toohey has been playing well in the NBL this season, so I decided to take the time to watch him and Sydney Kings play in a September 11th NBL Blitz game against Malique Lewis and South East Melbourne, with thanks to YouTube via National Basketball League. It was an opportunity to watch a couple of prospects play in a fairly competitive environment, even though it may still be considered basically preseason basketball. Here are my thoughts on how they fared in South East Melbourne’s NBL Blitz win over Sydney in this game. Also, for those that are interested in the box score of this game, here is the link.

Sydney’s 6-7 forward, Alex Toohey scored 26 points, made 4 threes, and grabbed 3 rebounds (all offensive rebounds) in his team’s 113-101 loss to South East Melbourne in a 2024 NBL Blitz game.
(Photo: Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Alex Toohey had a solid showing in his team’s double-digit loss to South East Melbourne. He is a sharpshooting swingman that excelled as a shooter and scorer in this game, but he struggled considerably on the defensive end. Toohey did a great job of knocking down threes to provide floor spacing for his team on offense. He showed a knack for making quick three-point shots off the catch, as he has a quick release that enables him to make them regardless if he is open or not. He would move off the ball to get it in order to make them from downtown, and he also showed that he can easily make standstill threes.

He also excelled at scoring on fast breaks. He was able to run the floor and take on the contact to score on a floater while getting fouled. He also ran the floor and dribbled to the post, before going to his left and using a drop step move to score. Another time, he ran the floor to get the ball in order to score on a crafty, flip layup due to possessing a good shooting touch, balance, and body control to do so.

He also showed a satisfactory ability to score off the dribble. Toohey was able to use a Euro-step move to his right to score on a contested, running layup. He also would drive hard to the hoop, as he can use either hand, and would throw his body into the contact to draw fouls in order to frequently get to the free throw line. On the downside, sometimes he would rush his layups and take them from too far away in traffic, which would lead to misses.

Also, Toohey displayed fairly average playmaking skills. He showed that he can make an assortment of passes off the dribble to get the ball to his teammates. However, sometimes he would over-dribble and try to do too much, which would lead to ball-handling turnovers. He was called for a traveling violation when he dribbled, stopped, and dribbled again. He also got stripped when handling it another time. While he can make passes off the dribble, he’s not especially quick, so he can be prone to committing turnovers when facing significant ball pressure at times. Though Toohey didn’t get many rebounds, he was able to chase down balls to get plenty of offensive boards. On the downside, he was not able to pick up a single defensive rebound in this game.

Defensively, he looked to be about average at best. For the positives, he is a team defender that would get his hands on passes to help his team get steals and deflections. He also rotated off of a drive to block a shot to a teammate. He also was able to contest a couple of corner threes to force some misses. However, he really struggled to defend on the ball. He often would be caught ball watching and would be late to contest three-point shots, as he would give up too much space and allow opponents to score on open jumpers from beyond the arc. Other times, he would struggle to defend quicker players, as he would get beat off the dribble to allow scores.

Overall, Alex Toohey is a skilled, sharpshooting forward that can shoot and score the basketball, but he will need to improve on the defensive end in the meantime. Currently, he is a second round prospect that could project into a shooting specialist role at the NBA level, and in a favorable scenario, he could be a solid role player similar to former Houston Rockets’ swingman, Chase Budinger in the NBA.

Malique Lewis scored 8 points on 4 of 7 shooting, and he had 7 rebounds in his team’s 113-101 over Sydney in a 2024 NBL Blitz game. (Photo: Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

South East Melbourne’s 6-8 forward, Malique Lewis also had a decent showing in his team’s win over Sydney. He is an athletic, energetic player that excels at attacking the hoop to score the basketball, and he has the athletic tools to be a plus-level defender on the court. He will need to improve his jump shot, but he still was able to make some very solid plays on offense.

Lewis showed a solid ability to score off the dribble. He would often score on strong drives to the hoop, and he has good strength, body control, and finishing ability to consistently score in traffic. He also was able to score on a strong cut to the hoop. On the downside, sometimes he would rush shots that would lead to misses. Lewis also took a couple of spot-up threes, but he missed both of them from beyond the arc.

He also displayed satisfactory playmaking skills. Lewis showed that he can make drive-and-kick passes to find open shooters, and he also can ably pass out of the post. He also was able to set a solid off-ball screen to free up a shooter to help his teammate get an open shot to score on offense. In addition, Lewis did not commit a single turnover in this game. Also, Lewis did a good job of rebounding the basketball. He was able to haul in multiple boards on both ends of the floor, and he also was able to push the pace off of a defensive rebound once.

He also played adequate defense in this game. Lewis would get his hands on passes to get steals and deflections. He also was able to contest a variety of shots, both out on the perimeter and in the paint to force misses. On the downside, he would play too aggressively, which would lead him to be out of position when defending his man, which would cause him to allow open shots and trail opposing ball handlers. Other times, he would give up too much space to shooters and be late on his close outs, which would lead him to allow three-point baskets to his opponents.

Overall, Malique Lewis played fairly well in his team’s win over Sydney. He showed that he can score and rebound the basketball, but he will need to improve his jump shot and be a more disciplined defender in games. Currently, Lewis is a second round prospect for the 2025 draft, and he has the skills to develop into being a serviceable role player similar to Luc Mbah a Moute in the NBA.

South East Melbourne’s 6-2 guard, Owen Foxwell also had a fairly solid showing in his team’s win over Sydney. He is an agile, skilled combo guard that can shoot and score the basketball, and he had a very strong first quarter in this game.

Foxwell showed a solid ability to score off the dribble. He is a fleet-footed guard that has a quick first steep, and he can use either hand to score around the basket. On the downside, sometimes he would miss on rushed, contested layups. He also shot the ball very well, and Foxwell was able to make a pair of quick, open corner threes off the catch.

On the downside, he’s not really a point guard, and he doesn’t get many assists when he is on the floor. Despite having point guard size, he did not notch an assist in this game. Foxwell showed that he can make some passes off the dribble and can run off screens to get open to catch the basketball. On one play though, he telegraphed a pass that ended up being deflected and intercepted.

Though he didn’t get many rebounds in this game, Foxwell was able to leap up to get a defensive board once. He also played adequate defense. Foxwell was able to run in to deflect a pass out of bounds due to making a good hustle play. He also went around a screen to contest a three to force a miss. On the downside, sometimes he would play too aggressively and be out of position, which would lead him to occasionally commit a foul or allow a score.

Overall, Foxwell played fairly well in this game. He is a sharpshooting combo guard that has above average athletic gifts, but he will need to show NBA teams that he can reliably run the point on a consistent basis. He may need some time to continue to develop and hone his game. While he may be a long shot to be drafted, his athleticism, scoring skills, and potential to play the point could enable him to be a backup point guard in the NBA someday.

All in all, those are my thoughts on how Toohey, Lewis, and Foxwell fared in this game. Thanks for reading.