INDIANAPOLIS (KSNT) - After just one season with Bill Self and the Jayhawks, Johnny Furphy is a professional basketball player.
Getting to the NBA happened much faster than even Furphy himself imagined, as he was still undecided on where he was attending college a year ago. Being in the NBA, though he says reality is slowly starting to settle in, is a surreal feeling for the Australia native.
"It was a lot of emotions, something I've been working for my whole life," Furphy said of getting drafted. "It's great to have my family there to share those moments with them, but yeah, it was a dream come true."
The Indiana Pacers not only traded up with the Spurs, but changed their traditional draft philosophy to pick Furphy at No. 35. The pick came in the second round, which was a surprise to many, as the young Jayhawk was one of 25 prospects to receive a 'Green Room' invite on night one.
There are no hard feelings from Furphy though, only fuel. He remembers the feeling of watching the first round go by.
"It was tough," Furphy said. "But at the end of the day, you kind of have to have the perspective that I've been drafted in the NBA, so I'm super excited, but definitely it's motivation. Being in the Green Room, seeing everyone getting picked. But I think I've landed in a great, great spot."
He says he's intrigued by the Pacers' exciting style of play, and the team dynamic is something he sees himself fitting into well. As for his sole year in Lawrence, the former Jayhawk freshman says practices with Self and a program like KU will play big factors in his transition to pro ball.
The Pacers' rookie will play for Indiana in the 2k25 NBA Summer League, which starts July 12.
