Ryan Broekhoff

Ryan Broekhoff was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He is the son of Jo Toebelman and Kevin Toebelman (step-father) and Wilm Broekhoff (father). Broekhoff played at the prestigious Australian Institute of Sport as a youth and was named Australian Junior Male Player of the Year in 2008. He then headed to the United States to attend and play college basketball at Valparaiso University. In early 2020, the native of Australia helped coordinate an effort between the NBA Players Union and Australian NBA players to raise awareness and support for those impacted by the deadly bushfires that devastated parts of Australia. Learn more about Broekhoff by following him on Twitter (@RBroekhoff45) and on Instagram (@rbroekhoff45). Many players come to the NBA after spending their youth in international professional leagues without attending college in the US. Broekhoff is a native of Australia who spent four seasons with Valparaiso before heading abroad. The 6-6 wing started in three of his four season with the Crusaders. He appeared in all 32 games as a freshman, but contributed just 6.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 15.4 minutes. His role increased as a sophomore in which he provided 10.3 points and 5.2 rebounds. Broekhoff led the Horizon League in 3-point proficiency at 44.8 percent. He broke out as a junior on his way to being named Horizon League Player of the Year by providing 14.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals. He had 19 points and 16 rebounds in the conference tournament to push the Crusaders past Butler. In the NIT Tournament, his 18 points, seven rebounds and four steals were not enough to beat Miami. Valpo made the NCAA Tournament in Broekhoff's senior season. He averaged 15.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists. After graduating in 2013, the Australian played professional ball in Turkey and Russia for five seasons before returning to the US and joining the NBA.