Kansas basketball: Coach Self expects Johnny Furphy to be mainstay in rotation
Kansas basketball head coach Bill Self expects Johnny Furphy to make an instant impact in the Jayhawks rotation this upcoming season.
Johnny Furphy was the final piece of the puzzle for the exceptional offseason Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks have had. The 6-foot-8, 200 lbs Australian phenom, who dazzled scouts at the NBA Academy Games, committed this week and could be a terrific player at KU.
Considering Kansas is the anticipated preseason No. 1 team, one might figure that an international prospect who just burst onto the scene would have trouble finding minutes. But according to the Hall of Fame coach, seeing the floor should not be a problem.
“We recruited him to play [now],” Self declared. “Also, we’ve only got 10 guys on scholarship (prior to signing Furphy). If you redshirt one or two of them, whoever that is, I don’t think it’ll be that hard to be part of the rotation.”
Zach Clemence — who rejoined Kansas basketball in June after briefly transferring to UC Santa Barbara — is thought to be redshirting in 2023-24. Jamari McDowell could be another candidate, as the 4-star incoming freshman sits behind a crowded guard room comprised of Dajuan Harris, Arterio Morris, and Elmarko Jackson.
A Clemence redshirt would certainly open up playing time for Furphy’s freshman year. Furphy is the only expected bench player to stand above 6-foot-4 on the KU basketball roster, so his size will be a much-needed asset for the coaching staff.
Furphy could see time at several positions, from point guard to power forward, according to Self. “[Furphy] is a guard. The way we play it doesn’t matter. He can play one of four spots.” Kansas often runs a positionless offensive scheme, which will likely be the case again this season.
Furphy has bought into the Kansas basketball program very quickly. “I think everybody knows that Kansas is one of the [best] basketball programs in the United States, but what made the difference in the end was coach Self explaining the role he had in mind for me,” he told 247 Sports. “To be honest, I was nervous about coming to such a big program, but coach Self has given me confidence that he both wants and needs me at Kansas.”
Next. 5 thoughts on Johnny Furphy committing to Kansas. dark
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