Tag: Johnny Furphy

Projected first-round pick Johnny Furphy announces decision to test 2024 NBA draft

Furphy was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman team after averaging nine points, 4.9 rebounds and one assist on 46.6% shooting from the field.

Kansas freshman Johnny Furphy announced on social media that he will declare for the 2024 NBA draft while maintaining his remaining college eligibility.

Furphy, who was born in Australia, was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman team after averaging nine points, 4.9 rebounds and one assist on 46.6% shooting from the field. He scored in double figures 14 times, including a season-high 23 points and 11 rebounds on Jan. 22.

The 6-foot-9 guard played a larger role for the Jayhawks over the second half of the season, starting in 18 out of the last 19 games. He averaged 11.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals on 34.9% shooting from 3-point range over that span.

Furphy is considered a potential first-round pick, given his ability to score, run the floor, finish at the rim and cut on offense. He figures to be among the prospects invited to participate in the draft combine May 12-19 in Chicago, Illinois.

He has until May 29 to withdraw from the draft and return to school.

After testing the pre-draft process, Furphy will participate in Australia’s training camp ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games. He was among the 22 players named to their 22-man preliminary roster, joining Josh Giddey, Joe Ingles and Patty Mills among others.

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Potential Thunder draft prospect Johnny Furphy falters in Kansas’ loss to Gonzaga

Potential Thunder draft prospect Johnny Furphy falters in Kansas’ loss to Gonzaga.

The Oklahoma City Thunder could have two 2024 first-round picks in the lottery range. They own the Houston Rockets’ top-four protected pick and the Utah Jazz’s top-10 protected pick. The former looks more likely to convey to OKC than the latter.

As the NCAA Tournament progresses, the top prospects are in the spotlight as they draw national attention for their postseason performances.

Considering the Thunder will likely have at least one lottery pick, plenty of possible additions via the draft give fans a chance to see how they match up in high-stress situations.

One possibility is Kansas guard Johnny Furphy. The shot didn’t fall for the freshman starter as he totaled nine points on 3-of-12 shooting, 2-of-7 from 3 and seven rebounds in 31 minutes in No. 4 Kansas’ 89-68 loss to No. 5 Gonzaga in the round of 32 on Saturday.

The loss ends the Jayhawks’ season, and Furphy will likely declare for the 2024 NBA draft with aspirations of a lottery selection.

The stats don’t jump out, but Furphy plays on a stacked Kansas squad. The 19-year-old’s draft intrigue will be what he can eventually develop into, not his current production.

He’s a high-motor, off-ball moving shooter. The 6-foot-9 wing averaged 8.8 points on 48% shooting and 4.7 rebounds. He shot 35.4% from 3 on 3.6 attempts.

If the Thunder adds Furphy, he’ll bring on an off-ball shooter who can move around the perimeter and find catch-and-shoot opportunities. Considering how drive-heavy Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams are, this is an extremely complementary archetype. His spacing will give them more chances at clear lanes toward the basket.

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Oklahoma runs out of gas in the second half as they fall to No. 6 Kansas 67-57

No. 25 Oklahoma falls 67-57 against No. 6 Kansas as the Jayhawks sweep the season series.

No. 25 Oklahoma entered Saturday with a chance to earn their third win against a top-25 opponent. Instead, they came up short as Bill Self and his sixth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks completed the season sweep of the Oklahoma Sooners 67-57.

Oklahoma entered the day with severe doubt that two trusted rotation members would play. [autotag]Rivaldo Soares[/autotag] twisted his ankle in the second half of the Sooners’ 79-62 loss at Baylor on Tuesday after leading the team in scoring with 17 points.

[autotag]John Hugley[/autotag] IV injured his knee against Oklahoma State last Saturday and didn’t even travel for OU’s game vs. the Bears.

Soares tested his ankle pregame but ended up not playing, and he and Hugley were sorely missed.

Oklahoma started Javian McCollum, Milos Uzan, Otega Oweh, Sam Godwin, and Jalen Moore. They raced out to a double-digit first-half lead behind hot shooting and terrific defense on Kansas forward Kevin McCullar Jr., who was returning from an injury. Jalon Moore led the way with 13 of his team-high 17 points. Milos Uzan was aggressive and added 8 points, while McCollum contributed six.

Kansas pushed back towards the end of the half to cut Oklahoma’s lead to 5 at the break. OU entered the locker room up 34-29 after an excellent all-around first half minus 3/8 free throw shooting in the first half.

The second half started, and Kansas began to find themselves.

Kansa and OU played a close game with the game tied on a number of occasions before Hunter Dickinson found McCullar for a three-pointer that gave KU its first lead since 5-4. Kansas would go on a 14-4 run and would not look back.

Oklahoma continued to fight, but their first-half shooting cooled dramatically as they shot 3 of 19 from the field in the second half. The Sooners’ inability to stop Kansas in the half-court, specifically Hunter Dickinson, doomed the them despite having a five-point halftime lead.

Javian McCollum was 3 of 6 from three and finished with 15 points.

Hunter Dickinson posted a 20-point, 16-rebound double-double to set the tone for the Jayhawks. Freshman Johnny Furphy added 15 points on 5/8 shooting with three makes from distance to help his team.

For Oklahoma, the Sooners will have the week off and not play until next Saturday when they make their final Big 12 visit to Stillwater in basketball to wrap up the Bedlam season series.

Kansas will host Texas next Saturday back home in Allen Fieldhouse.

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