Johnny Furphy

Furphy is an Australian wing who entered the NBA as a second-round pick in 2024 after a single season at the University of Kansas, where he emerged as a reliable shooter and rebounder on a tournament-bound team. He was traded to the Indiana Pacers on draft night and has contributed as a developmental wing.

Born John William Furphy on December 8, 2004, in Melbourne, Victoria, he attended Maribyrnong College and was a member of the Maribyrnong Sports Academy. He competed in basketball, cricket, and football during high school. He played in the Big V for Hawthorn Magic and Melbourne University Black Angels before joining the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence in Canberra. In the NBL1, he averaged 14.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in 2023.

Furphy committed to Kansas on August 3, 2023, choosing the Jayhawks over Connecticut, Duke, Gonzaga, and North Carolina. He made his collegiate debut on November 6, 2023, with six points and five rebounds. He started 19 of 33 games, averaging 9.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists while shooting 35.2 percent from three. His best performance came against Cincinnati on January 22, 2024, when he posted 23 points and 11 rebounds. Kansas finished 23-11 and lost to Gonzaga in the Round of 32.

The San Antonio Spurs selected Furphy with the 35th overall pick in the 2024 draft and traded him to the Indiana Pacers. He made his NBA debut during the 2024-25 season and appeared in the 2025 NBA Finals.

Furphy is a versatile wing with a smooth shooting stroke, rebounding instincts, and defensive versatility for his size. He scores on catch-and-shoot threes, transition finishes, and timely cuts to the basket. His size and length allow him to guard multiple positions, and his shooting range makes him a valuable floor-spacing option.

Furphy enters each season as a young wing with the Indiana Pacers, carrying the expectations of a second-round pick and a decorated Australian developmental pedigree. His trajectory from a Melbourne high school to a Kansas freshman and an NBA Finals participant reflects shooting ability, positional versatility, and a commitment to expanding his game at every level.