Furphy one-and-done? Plus KU football NIL, NBA Draft and more | KU Jayhawks Q&A
Don’t look now, but Kansas Jayhawks freshman Johnny Furphy has already appeared in NBA mock drafts.
In Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft, Furphy’s projected to be drafted by the Oklahoma Thunder with the No. 26 overall pick.
So far, Furphy and KU guard Kevin McCullar are the only Jayhawks who have garnered heavy draft consideration. That could change, of course, but those two are the only KU players on scouts’ radar right now.
McCullar, who didn’t receive a guarantee from a team last season, has risen up draft boards after a stellar season. He’s currently projected to be a lottery pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
This week, The Star spoke to an NBA Draft expert for some anonymous thoughts on both players.
On Furphy: “I’m a fan, but not sure if he should go this year or next. I feel Furphy has a better feel than Gradey (Dick) did. I think he could totally benefit from staying in college an extra year.”
On McCullar: “I would be stunned if Kevin goes in the lottery. He seems like a late-first (round) kind of guy. It’s hard to wrap your head around a guy who was most likely a two-way contract guy being a top-20 pick.”
With that, let’s get to another Kansas Jayhawks Q&A!
How are the KU’s of the world (football) going to be able to compete with no NIL cap?? — @downboy86
Kansas can only compete with the bluebloods/more prominent schools through sustained success over a long period. It’s much easier to raise money when you’re selling out games, playing in bowls each year and competing for a Big 12 championship.
Kansas athletic director Travis Goff knows how important it is for KU to keep the momentum going. It’s pivotal for the new-look David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and crucial for raising money for NIL.
So Goff is doing everything he can (from playing games in KC, thus guarding against delays on the Memorial Stadium renovations) to ensuring coach Lance Leipold sticks around. These are things that will help ensure KU football continues to be a winner.
And with that success, NIL funding will increase, as well.
More important from last night: Kevin not playing, or the players that stepped up in his absence? — @colbyjacksoden
I think it is definitely the players who stepped up — especially freshman Elmarko Jackson
He finished the game with 10 points and two rebounds. He played 26 minutes, his most this year in conference play, and scored in double-figures for the first time since vs. Wichita State, when he had 12 points.
Jackson looked like he was playing without overthinking and aggressively hunted for his shot. After each bucket, his confidence seemed to rise.
The Jayhawks desperately need either Jackson or Nick Timberlake to provide some scoring off the bench. Not only does it raise the ceiling of the team, but it lowers the amount of pressure on the starters.
Plus, Self reiterated that McCullar’s bone bruise wasn’t too severe. He expects McCullar to suit up against Houston Saturday.
Do you think Johnny Furphy will be a one-and-done? — @Kevinle17_
It depends on whether he keeps up this level of play and if he’s a projected lottery pick.
From what I’ve gathered in talking with those close to Furphy, his departure date is truly up in the air. The expectation was for him to play more than one season here initially, but at the same time, he’s a bit ahead of schedule in his development.
Furphy’s coaches back home in Australia told him to be prepared for the possibility of being in the NBA after a year of college basketball. It’s happened before, with other Australian players.
Overall, the situation is very much in flux. But right now, Furphy seems most concerned with helping KU win games.
Has Johnny ever had to fight a kangaroo and if not what’s the craziest insect he’s had to kill for his mom/sister? — @AndrewWert45131
According to his father, Richard, Johnny has never fought a kangaroo but occasionally enjoys the occasional barbecued roo fillet.
Richard also noted that Johnny hasn’t had run-ins with deadly insects, but he loves camping at their spot on Kangaroo Island, where sharks inhabit the waters.
