Here’s your Furphy; Aussie youngster heading abroad
THE LIST of Australians making a name for themselves in the NCAA college basketball system continues to grow, with forward Johnny Furphy committing to the Kansas Jayhawks for the upcoming season.
The talented youngster has been a highly touted prospect for several years, working his way through Australia’s basketball ranks. Although it was later than a number of players, he has now taken the leap into one of the best pathways in the world, joining the Jayhawks’ college basketball side.
His level of skill has always been present, showcasing a natural feel for the game and being able to insert himself into the play with ease. He dominated his junior career during his time in the VJBL, before joining the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence and announcing himself as one of the brightest prospects in the country.
He participated in the NBA Academy Games in Atlanta, and during that tournament, Furphy averaged 14.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game against players that were around the same level of development as him. Rumours of big name schools such as Duke and Gonzaga showing interest started to swirl as a result, too.
The Canberra native was floated as a potential NBL Next Star, a program which also focusses on the development of emerging basketball talents, but has joined Kansas on the big stage in the United States.
Furphy’s potential has been evident for years, and the Jayhawks seem eager to ensure his development continues with them.
He has the size to prove a tough matchup at the small forward position, standing six-foot-eight, but also the skill-level of a guard which boosts his attractiveness as a player even more. A shooter who can light it up from almost anywhere around the arc, Furphy has the offensive tools to spread the floor and add to Kansas’ perimeter game.
Kansas University coach Bill Self has already confirmed Furphy will be a rotation player in the 2023/24 season, excited by some of the potential lineups he could join and the shooting he adds.
The Jayhawks are expected to be the number-one ranked college side heading into the upcoming fixture, and Furphy joining the team will be huge for his basketball journey. The buzz has been present for a while now, but joining one of the best schools in the world will only further the hype.
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