The 2024 NBA draft has seen many freshmen college athletes declaring for the NBA draft. Primarily, this has happened because despite having only one year of experience in the NCAA, these players are likely to get drafted in the first round itself. After the projected third overall pick Reed Sheppard of Kentucky, Johnny Furphy has also entered the same room. With ESPN putting him at the 18th spot, let us dive deep into his life and numbers.

In the 2024 NBA Draft Combine, Johnny Furphy turned heads of many NBA scouts with his immaculate long-range shooting and ball handling. According to his physical measurements in Chicago, the 19-year-old Wing is 6-ft-7 in height with a wingspan of 6-ft-8 right now. His standing reach, however, is 8-ft-8 and a half. Let us see the early life of this Australian talent.

Early life down under

Johnny Furphy was born on December 7, 2004, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The athletic Furphy family has five members, Richard Furphy and Liza Alpers the parents along with two siblings. His father was a professional Australian Footballer and his mother competed nationally as a diver. His older brother Joe Furphy has freshly entered the professional Australian football world. At the same time, his sister Holly Furphy is in her sophomore season in Santa Clara, California. She too plays in her soccer team.

While the 19-year-old hooper is solely focusing on basketball now, it was not always the case. In fact, he grew up playing Australian football as well as cricket in his high school. However, he entered the Centre of Excellence (CoE) program of the Australian Institute of Sport later. The Institute doubles as the NBA Global Academy. In his final year of the program, Johnny Furphy played 12 games. He averaged 14.3 points with 39.3% shooting from beyond the arc. He capped off his defense too with 5.6 rebounds.

Johnny Furphy and his Kansas connection

In July 2023, he participated in the NBA Development Academy camp which was held in Atlanta. There, he became one of the most talented players with much more spotlight than he expected. Consequently, many college scouts reached him. However, it was Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks who brought him in. Then, Self said, “He is one of the most gifted, skilled young kids in the 2023 class and certainly as gifted and skilled as any player remaining that we could recruit.” He also praised the 6-ft-8 hooper by saying, “He’s been well trained at the Center of Excellence in Australia. He’s well beyond his years from his feel and basketball IQ standpoint.”

Excited to have him on his roster, Self kept him on the bench for the first 15 games of his freshman season. However, the reserved wing soon got multiple chances to prove his worth as a starter. Due to several shooting deficiencies and injuries, the head coach moved Furphy up in the crew. He then started 18 of the remaining 19 games for the Jayhawks, missing the senior night. He averaged 9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. In his one season in Kansas, he led them in three points made with 44 in the book. The freshman ranked 11th for the same in the history of the school.

With his fourth-highest numbers in the team, Johnny Furphy swept away the Big 12 All-Freshman team honor. He also received the All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and was on the Preseason Julius Erving Award Watch List this year. Understanding that his name just might come in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft, he committed to the professional league while keeping his college eligibility to have an option to bounce back.

Johnny Furphy en route for the NBA

The last date to retract his name from the NBA draft for the year was May 29. However, the guard did not go through with it. But he certainly has impressed the scouts in Chicago. The NBA Draft Combine camp held in the Windy City saw many players trying their best to make the best first impression. However, Johnny Furphy went there to learn and get feedback. He said about the same, “I just want to see where I’m at compared to these guys and get feedback. I’ll benefit regardless.”

Bill Self, however, was certain of the freshman’s decision. The head coach mentioned that he believes that Johnny Furphy is very likely to turn pro because he can go in Round 1 itself. The Melbourne native wishes to work on his physicality and grow larger to defend better. He also told 247sports during media availability that he wishes the scouts notice his rebounds, a place where he can do the most damage. Of his rebounding, he said, “I think it’s a great way I can impact the game without the ball. I am pretty versatile, whatever the situation is.”

According to the NBA’s official website, Furphy’s strengths lie in his around-the-rim skills and defending. Hence, he is more likely to be a better defender in the paint in the long run. With ESPN putting him with Orlando, he will be able to fill the shoes decently as they have a preference for someone like him. He is tall, needs time to blossom, and is a low-maintenance perimeter prospect. Johnny Furphy will be able to develop with this team as they already have enough talent to keep themselves in the run. As the 2024 NBA draft approaches, the mystery of where he lands will soon be solved.

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