Australia could be grooming its next basketball prodigy, as Melbourne-native Johnny Furphy gains traction ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft
Emerging from Bill Self’s Kansas Jayhawks, Furphy swiftly rose to prominence last season, asserting himself as a pivotal player on one of college basketball’s powerhouse teams.
But who exactly is this rising Aussie star, and what are his prospects?
Who is Johnny Furphy? Background and Career
Johnny Furphy is currently a standout prospect slated for the 2024 NBA Draft, following a standout freshman year at the University of Kansas.
Hailing from Melbourne, Victoria, Furphy honed his skills at the AIS Centre of Excellence—an Australian basketball hub known for cultivating talents like Josh Giddey, Dante Exum, and Dyson Daniels.
During his time at the CoE, he averaged 14.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in his final year, while also representing Victoria in the Australian U20 National Championships, where he averaged 13.3 points and 5.0 rebounds across six games.
Johnny Furphy Season Stats
After a slow start in his college journey, Furphy surged into the spotlight at the beginning of 2024, earning his first start against Oklahoma on January 13 and quickly becoming a standout player for the Jayhawks.
His season averages of 8.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game rose significantly after becoming a starter, reaching 14.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.
Overall, he finished the season averaging 9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1 assist per game.
Furphy’s standout performances included a stellar 16-point, 8-rebound, and 6-assist effort in Kansas’ initial March Madness victory over Samford, although he posted a more subdued 9-7-1 line in their subsequent loss to Gonzaga.
Johnny Furphy’s Draft Prospects
At 19 years old (born December 7, 2004), Furphy is eligible for the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft.
His recent impressive form has propelled him up the draft boards, earning him an invitation to the Draft’s green room—an indication that he is expected to be selected in the lottery, within the top 14 picks.
Various mock drafts project Furphy to be picked between the middle and end of the first round: ESPN and USA Today place him around 18th, The Ringer at 24th, Yahoo at 26th, and NBADraftNet at 29th.
Sporting News’ Kyle Irving forecasts Furphy to be chosen 20th by the Cleveland Cavaliers, citing his potential as a sharpshooting forward who could alleviate pressure on key players like Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.
“While Furphy’s three-point shooting percentage was 35.2% as a freshman, he showed glimpses of his shooting prowess, making him an intriguing prospect despite possibly needing more development before NBA readiness,” Irving commented in his 2024 Mock Draft.
