Johnny Furphy’s collegiate career at Kansas was brief but impactful. The freshman from Australia, a fan favorite, has opted to stay in this year’s NBA Draft, foregoing his remaining eligibility.
Furphy’s stint at KU was under a year, having committed late on August 2nd, 2023, and reclassified to play immediately. His rapid development has positioned him as a potential first-round pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
He proved vital for a depleted roster, stepping up when Arterio Morris was dismissed from the team and even more so after Kevin McCullar’s knee injury during conference play. Furphy’s boyish looks, Australian accent, and meme-worthy moments quickly endeared him to fans. He averaged nine points and 4.9 rebounds in 24 minutes per game.
His standout performance was against Cincinnati, where he scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in 37 minutes. This was part of a stretch where he scored in double figures in 11 of 12 games. Despite his shooting struggles towards the end of the season, he still managed to hit 35% of his threes and showed significant defensive improvement.
Initially, it was speculated that Furphy might return if he wasn’t projected as a first-round pick. However, a weaker draft class and strong showings at the combine and other workouts solidified his decision. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony and The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie both project him as a top-20 pick, with some suggesting he could go as high as the early teens.
The first round of the NBA Draft is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26.
