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This is higher than a lot of people have him, but I’m a big fan of what Furphy offers. He has positional size for a combo forward and the mobility to check smaller players on the perimeter, but he also grades out as a plus shooter who can supply some extra athletic pop as a finisher on cuts and in transition.

Furphy is skinny and needs to fill out, but his statistical production was a bit better than that of similar physical archetypes Zaccharie Risacher and Cody Williams (both below) despite coming over from Australia to play for Kansas. While Furphy didn’t shoot often and wasn’t asked to do much off the dribble, he shot 64.2 percent on 2s with a high free-throw rate. From the perimeter, his stats were more ordinary (35.2 percent from 3, 76.5 percent from the line), but he shoots 3s with relatively high volume, and both his shooting form and incoming rep suggest he is capable of better.

Defensively, Furphy had some trouble with quick guards, and physicality sometimes gave him trouble when players could shrug him off with a shoulder to get room for a shot. That should lessen as his body fills out, but he’s always going to be light for this size. That said, he had the length and quick hops to get back into plays to contest or block shots, even when initially beaten. His 11.7 percent rebound rate is pretty impressive for a guy who projects as a three at the next level.

We’re into a new tier here where the projections are more questionable, but of this group, I’d argue Furphy has the most realistic upside to turn into a long-term starter.

35. Indiana Pacers (via SAS)
Johnny Furphy | 6-8 wing | 19 years old | Kansas

Vecenie’s ranking: 27

Johnny Furphy is an NBA project who must improve his jumper and ballhandling. Defensively, Furphy will have to work on his mechanics and become more instinctive. However, physically and athletically, he’s the kind of big wing every team is desperate to find. He’s been productive in college basketball and he’s still a teenager. I’m lower on Furphy than the consensus because I’d be less inclined to be the first team that must put in the time to develop him, but he’s well-regarded as a competitor and worker. It’s believable that Furphy will be the impact wing in a role that NBA teams covet by the time he turns 24. I just think it will take some time and a developmentally minded organization willing to put in the effort.

Hollinger’s analysis: I had a lottery grade on Furphy. He’s a big win who can shoot and has some athletic pop, and he got progressively better during his one year at Kansas as he adjusted to the competition. Obviously I’m a fan of this pick, and I’m a little bewildered San Antonio didn’t just keep it given the Spurs’ own need for big wings in the pipeline. Instead, he’ll go to an Indiana squad that has done a great job drafting and developing.

Wizop wrote:There's a floor to ceiling on YouTube but my phone isn't pasting it correctly

Scoot McGroot wrote:

Wizop wrote:There's a floor to ceiling on YouTube but my phone isn't pasting it correctly

This it?

https://youtu.be/PAXWXT8q1t8?si=kcZA_iLKYNH0VKNg

Scoot McGroot wrote:

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=jYPPXwUlm02fAaE9rSSACw

Pacers Forever wrote:

Scoot McGroot wrote:

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=jYPPXwUlm02fAaE9rSSACw

Ouch was this worth 6.9 million ?

That’s more than I Jax, Nembhard, Sheppard, Walker, and Browns individual salaries for the upcoming season.

Pacers Forever wrote:

Scoot McGroot wrote:

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=jYPPXwUlm02fAaE9rSSACw

Ouch was this worth 6.9 million ?

That’s more than I Jax, Nembhard, Sheppard, Walker, and Browns individual salaries for the upcoming season.

boomershadow wrote:That's a lot to move up one spot. Haven't second round picks been sold outright for less?