Subscribe
Follow Us
When Johnny Furphy skyrocketed onto teams recruiting boards following an impressive showing in the NBA Academy games in July 2023, announced his decision to commit to Kansas ahead of the 2023-24 college basketball season, most fans didn't know what to expect from the lanky Australian prospect. In the moment, Sam Vecenie of The Athletic wrote the following:
“Multiple NBA scouts who attended the Academy games in Atlanta told The Athletic that Furphy should be considered equivalent to a top-50 recruit in the 2023 recruiting class. He’s currently not ranked by recruiting services due to the rapid nature of his rise, but Kansas fans should anticipate him having something like a high four-star rating. Those same NBA scouts mentioned Furphy absolutely has potential to be a draft pick, but to not necessarily expect him as a one-and-done style prospect.”
By the end of the Kansas Jayhawks season, a season in which Johnny Furphy instantly became a fan favorite inside of Allen Fieldhouse and was eventually named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team, it was clear that the young Australian had developed quicker than even the most optimistic scouts could've expected. Once considered a prospect who wouldn't be one-and-done, Furphy was now already done at Kansas after just one season. He entered his name into the NBA Draft in April, and at the end of May, at the deadline to pull out of the NBA Draft, Furphy announced he would be continuing to pursue his NBA dream.
“Playing in the NBA has always been a lifetime goal of mine,” Furphy wrote in a statement on social media (h/t Henry Greenstein of KU Sports). “With that, I’ve decided that now is the time to pursue that dream. I can’t say thank you enough to Coach Self, the entire coaching staff, and every single person associated with our basketball program,” Furphy wrote. “I have the most amazing teammates I could have ever asked for and I want to wish them the best of luck going forward. And to Jayhawk Nation, thank you for being the greatest fan base in the world.”
As far as why Johnny Furphy decided to keep his name in the NBA Draft, ESPN's Jonathan Givony shed some light on what went into that decision.
“NEWS: Kansas' Johnny Furphy announced he will remain in the 2024 NBA draft,” Givony tweeted after Furphy made his decision. “The 6'9 Australian wing is the No. 18 prospect in ESPN's draft projections. He toyed with the idea of returning to Kansas, but ultimately got the assurances he was looking for regarding his draft stock.”
How high could Johnny Furphy go?
As Givony stated, Furphy is currently mocked to be selected by the Orlando Magic with the 18th pick in the NBA Draft per ESPN's latest mock draft. Right here at ClutchPoints, our very own Brett Siegel mocked the 6'7″ wing to be picked 29th by the Utah Jazz, while noting, “There is no telling where Furphy will end up, as his stock fluctuates from the lottery to the very end of the first round.”
No matter where Johnny Furphy ends up being selected in the NBA Draft, the summer of 2024 could prove to be a very memorable one. Not only will Furphy see his NBA dream realized, but he also has a chance to representing his native Australia in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Back in April, right around the time Furphy announced his decision to test the waters of the NBA Draft, he was also named one of 22 finalists for a spot on the twelve-man roster that will go to France and attempt to medal for the second consecutive time at the Summer Olympics.
