Who is Johnny Furphy? Australia’s next NBA Draft pick | Sporting News Canada

Australia might have another basketball superstar on its hands, with Melbourne-born Johnny Furphy currently making a name for himself ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft

After starring for Bill Self’s Kansas Jayhawks, Furphy emerged in a big way last season, quickly becoming one of the key players on one of college basketball’s most powerful teams. 

But who is this up-and-coming Aussie, and how far can he go?

Who is Johnny Furphy? Career and bio 

Johnny Furphy is currently a draft prospect in the 2024 NBA Draft, after finishing his freshman year at the University of Kansas. 

Born in Melbourne, Victoria, Furphy attended the AIS Centre of Excellence – the Australian basketball factory that produced names like Josh Giddey, Dante Exum, and Dyson Daniels.

While at the CoE, he averaged 14.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in his final year and also represented his state of Victoria at the Australian U20 National Championships, where he averaged 13.3 points and 5.0 rebounds through six games. 

Johnny Furphy season stats

Despite a slow start to his college career, Furphy came on in a huge way at the start of 2024, being named a starter for the first time against Oklahoma on January 13, and quickly becoming one of the Jayhawks’ most exciting players.

Furphy averaged 8.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game during the season, but after becoming a starter those numbers rose to 14.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.

This saw him finish the year with averages of 9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1 assist per game.

He starred for the Jayhawks during their March Madness run, with a 16 point, 8 rebound, 6 assist performance in their first win over Samford, before a somewhat disappointing 9-7-1 in their loss to Gonzaga.

How old is Johnny Furphy?

Johnny Furphy is 19 years old, born on December 7, 2004.

When will Johnny Furphy be drafted?

Currently 19, Furphy has nominated for the 2024 NBA Draft. 

The Australian’s recent form has seen him rocket up draft boards, and he was extended an invitation to the Draft’s green room, meaning he is expected to be taken in the lottery, or first 14 picks of the Draft. 

Most Mock Drafts have Furphy being taken more towards the middle to end of the first round; ESPN and USA Today have him being taken 18th, the Ringer 24th, Yahoo 26th, and NBADraftNet at 29.

Sporting News’ Kyle Irving has Furphy being taken at pick 20 by the Cleveland Cavaliers, noting his possible shooting prowess and high ceiling. 

“The Cavaliers need a floor spacer to take pressure off Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen,” Irving wrote in his 2024 Mock Draft.

“Furphy only shot 35.2 percent from 3 as a freshman but he had hot streaks that teased his capabilities. He might not be ready to play in the NBA from Day 1, but he is still an intriguing fit as a 6-8 sharpshooting forward.”