I have been preaching it since the season started. You could tell that Johnny Furphy had that it factor for Kansas basketball. While he is very young, his skill set and IQ are beyond his years. Johnny’s skillset not only translates to the college level but he should be projected as the best future NBA player on this current roster.
Furphy, coming off two straight starts and the third of his Jayhawk career, is showing why Coach Self wanted Johnny to come to school early and impact this year’s team. Furphy has all the tools and making that you need for an elite player. He understands the system and knows how to play with other good players.
Watching Furphy play, you can see how he elevates and helps fill a hole that we have witnessed all year on the Jayhawks roster. Johnny can get out in transition and finish at the rim, drive and finish, is a very strong offensive rebounder, and can hit the open 3-pointer. His defense has been his biggest area of improvement as the season has gone along as well. He will get stronger as he grows and matures, which will help his game, but Johnny is doing a better job of moving his feet, keeping his hands up, and using his length to alter and block shots as opposed to reaching and fouling.
Coming off a bad 65-60 loss at UCF, Bill Self looked for a spark. Coach Self found that by inserting Johnny into the starting lineup. Furphy and the Jayhawks have responded with back-to-back wins over Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. More importantly, the eye test and the numbers show that KU is a better team with Johnny on the floor instead of the bench.
In the two games since being inserted into the starting lineup, Furphy has responded. He has averaged 11 points, five rebounds, one assist, one block, and one steal per game. He has shot the ball really well, being more in rhythm with additional playing time, shooting 57% from the field, 50% from three, and 100% from the free throw line.
The Jayhawks have been looking for a reliable fourth scorer behind Hunter Dickinson, Kevin McCullar, and KJ Adams, and it looks like they have found it in Johnny Furphy. Johnny has shown us what he is capable of with extended minutes in the starting lineup. What he brings is a renewed hope and belief that this team has enough firepower to cut down the nets.
As Always Rock Chalk and Let’s Go!