KU’s Johnny Furphy shares NBA Draft experience after falling to Round 2: ‘It was tough’

Johnny Furphy wasn’t supposed to be in this position.

The Kansas basketball freshman was projected as a mid-to-late first-round selection in the 2024 NBA Draft. He told The Star he worked out with seven teams in the pick range of Nos. 9-20.

Furphy seemed confident he’d get picked sometime in the first round.

“I think from around (pick) 15, that’s when I’ll start getting a little bit more tense,” Furphy told ESPN before Wednesday’s first round.

Instead, the Melbourne, Australia, native wasn’t selected in the first round. Widely projected as a first-round pick, Furphy had to wait it out overnight before his second-round selection by the Indiana Pacers at No. 35.

Furphy recalled being a little uneasy about the situation.

“It was tough,” Furphy told The Star. “It was just very uncertain. It’s such a wide range, with so many moving pieces. It was tough, but at the end of the day, it’s wherever the best fit is.”

On Thursday afternoon, Furphy finally found his new home. The Indiana Pacers traded with the San Antonio Spurs to select the forward. The teams swapped picks Nos. 35 and 36, with the Spurs also receiving cash considerations.

For Furphy, it was a shock. He never even worked out with the Pacers.

“It’s settling in a little bit,” Furphy said about the pick. “It’s a pretty amazing feeling hearing my name being called. I’m just so excited. At the end of the day, it’s about wherever the best fit is, and I think Indiana is the spot.”

Furphy averaged 9.0 points and 4.8 rebounds and was voted to the Big 12’s all-freshman team in his lone season in Lawrence. He shot 35.2% from deep last season — a big plus for a Pacers team that ranked ninth in the NBA in 3-point percentage (37.4%).

Indiana also plays a fast-paced brand of basketball built around a stellar offense. It’s an ideal fit for Furphy.

“I’ve spoken to coach Rick Carlisle,” Furphy said. “They said they think I will fit in with their play style — very fast, lot of transition.”

Furphy heads into his rookie season hoping to prove he belongs.

“I’m excited to show them what I got,” he said. “What kind of player I can be and what kind of player I will be in the next few years. I’m just excited to kind of be there and be in that moment.”

Furphy told The Star he spoke to KU coach Bill Self as well. Self told Furphy, “It’s all about fit.” The forward added that Self is “super happy about Indiana, and he likes them a lot.”

It doesn’t hurt that there’s another Jayhawk in Indiana’s front office. Kevin Pritchard, a former KU player, is the Pacers’ president of basketball operations.

“They said it’s a familiar feeling with that kind of family energy,” Furphy said. “It will be very cool to join that.”

Furphy also had one last message for Jayhawk nation.

“All credit goes to Kansas and everyone there,” he said. “The coaching staff, the fan base — its just surreal.”