Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Andrew Toney

Defenders could stay attached to Andrew Toney for an entire possession and still watch him rise into a clean jumper once he found his rhythm. Equal parts scorer and shot creator, he punished single coverage with sharp footwork, controlled pacing, and the confidence to take over stretches of a game when Philadelphia needed offense most.

Here is detailed information about Andrew Toney:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Andrew Toney
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: November 23, 1957
  • Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama
  • Height: 6 feet 3 inches (190 cm)
  • Weight: 178 pounds (81 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 4 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 12 (US)
  • Position: Shooting Guard
  • Jersey Number: 22
  • High School: Glenn High School, Birmingham, Alabama
  • College: University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette)
  • NBA Draft: Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1st round (8th overall) of the 1980 NBA Draft
  • Professional Team: Philadelphia 76ers (1980–1988)
  • Career Highlights:
    • NBA Champion (1983)
    • Two-time NBA All-Star (1983, 1984)
    • Known as “The Boston Strangler” for his exceptional performances against the Boston Celtics
  • Championship Rings: One (1983)
  • Children: Son, Channing Toney, who played NCAA Division I basketball at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and had a professional career in Europe.
  • Siblings: Information not publicly available

Player Archetype / Play Style

Andrew Toney’s player archetype was that of a pure scoring guard, a compact but highly skilled backcourt shot-maker who could bend defenses with pull-up scoring, tough shot creation, and controlled drives. At 6-foot-3 and 178 pounds, he did not overwhelm opponents with size, but he paired solid guard strength with balance, touch, and enough burst to operate as one of Philadelphia’s main offensive weapons during its early-1980s peak. Offensively, Toney functioned as a lead scorer from the two-guard spot, capable of shooting from range, attacking off the wing, and creating difficult baskets in half-court settings, while defensively he fit more as a competitive, sturdy guard defender than as a pure stopper, relying on positioning and toughness instead of standout length. His overall play style was smooth, efficient, and ruthless as a scorer, which is a big part of why he became such a feared playoff weapon and a central piece of the 1983 championship Sixers. (NBA)

Scouting Report

Andrew Toney always looked like he enjoyed operating in the narrow gaps that most guards ignored. He didn’t need much daylight. One hard dribble into a screen, a subtle hesitation to freeze the defender or a shoulder bump coming off a pick-and-roll was usually enough to create the window for a pull-up, and once he got into that rhythm he became extremely difficult to disrupt because his balance rarely changed. What stands out is how well he attacked defenders leaning the wrong way. Instead of racing to the rim every possession, he’d stop on a dime around the foul line, rise before the help defender could fully rotate or snake the dribble until the big committed, then finish with soft touch if the lane stayed open. He was a better passer than his reputation sometimes suggests, particularly when weak-side defenders pinched in from the corner. He recognised those rotations early and delivered sharp kick-outs without overhandling the ball. Defensively, Toney competed with real purpose at the point of attack. He fought over ball screens, stayed connected through handoffs and wasn’t afraid to absorb contact from bigger guards to prevent clean driving angles, although lengthy ball-handlers who could simply shoot over him presented a more difficult assignment than smaller, quicker guards. The trade-off was that his game leaned heavily on difficult shot-making, so there were stretches where the offence could become a little too dependent on contested pull-ups instead of generating easier looks through movement. Even then, defenders couldn’t relax because he was constantly threatening to punish the smallest mistake in footwork. That’s why his ideal fit is alongside a primary organiser who can initiate possessions, leaving Toney free to hunt scoring opportunities against a defence that’s already shifted once. To me, there are shades of Donovan Mitchell in the way he blended power with compact footwork and thrived from the mid-range, while his ability to create high-quality shots from seemingly neutral situations also brings to mind Joe Dumars, another guard who quietly dismantled disciplined defenders without needing an endless catalogue of dribble moves.

Fun Facts 

  • “The Boston Strangler”: Toney earned this nickname for his clutch performances against the Boston Celtics, particularly in playoff matchups.
  • Scoring Ability: Renowned for his deadly mid-range shooting and ability to perform under pressure.
  • Injuries: Persistent foot injuries shortened his NBA career, limiting his playing time and post-retirement activities.
  • Honors:
    • 2× NBA All-Star (1982, 1983)
    • Played a key role in the 76ers’ 1983 championship, teaming with Julius Erving, Moses Malone, and Maurice Cheeks.
  • Post-Retirement: Toney has kept a relatively low profile since retiring, focusing on private life and staying out of the public spotlight.

Sources:

NBA.com — Andrew Toney | Guard | Philadelphia 76ers
Wikipedia — Andrew Toney
NBA.com — NBA at 50: Top 10 Teams
The Philadelphia Inquirer — Sixers legends reflect on famous ‘Beat L.A.’ chant 40 years later
Los Angeles Times — Hall of Fame value: Why Michael Cooper finally made it to Springfield