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The 2024 NBA draft is roughly one month away and here at College Sports Wire we are evaluating the college basketball stars who are hoping to hear their name called in June.
Today we take a look at one of the few players who opted to stay in the NBA draft on the withdraw deadline, Kansas guard Johnny Furphy. Furphy is an Australian native who joined the Jayhawks late last offseason. He began the season in a bench role, playing 13 minutes per game and averaging 5.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in his first 14 contests.
Once Kansas tossed him into the starting lineup, however, he began to blossom. The 6’7 sharpshooter averaged 11.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 steals in Kansas’ final 19 games, shooting 60% on two pointers and 34.9% from three on 4.4 attempts per game. He dropped 23 with 11 rebounds against Cincinnati in late January, part of a 12 game stretch where he scored in double figures 11 times.
Furphy’s size and shooting ability has him projected by many as a first round pick, and he opted to pass on his college eligibility to stay in the draft process.
Below is a look at Furphy’s profile, including his measurements at the combine, strengths and weaknesses as a player, and current projected draft range and team fits in the NBA:
From: Melbourne, Australia
Played: Kansas (2023-24)
2023-24 Stats: 9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.9 steals
Height: 6’7.5 (without shoes)
Weight: 189 pounds
Wingspan: 6’8
Standing Reach: 8’8.5
Max Vertical Leap: 32 inches
- Strong outside shooter with excellent form and a quick release, very little doubt he will make an impact as a floor spacer at the next level
- Already established as a role player, does not need the ball in his hands to be effective offensively
- Tough rebounder for his position, should improve with age and strength as well
- Crafty finisher at the rim, good at absorbing contact and going to the free throw line, where he’s a 77% shooter
- Age gives him plenty of upside, and has the requisite size, skills, and decision making for a modern NBA wing
- Not a big time athlete which caps overall potential and upside
- Developmental player, still raw in a lot of ways and might need time before being impactful contributor
- Doesn’t create much off the dribble at this time, more of a catch-and-shoot type
- Wingspan is limited, didn’t test well athletically which is a concern particularly on defense
- Too skinny, will need to add weight which could hamper already limited athleticism
Draft Range: 25-45
CSW Mock: 33 overall to Milwaukee Bucks
Team Fits: A rebuilding team in need of a developmental wing, or a contending team that could use pure shooting off the bench. Portland, Utah, San Antonio make sense for the first fit, Milwaukee, LA Lakers, Minnesota make sense for the other.
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Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/nba-draft-profile-kansas-jayhawks-johnny-furphy/