Through the Phog
Fansided

Kansas basketball: 3 X-factor players who can help lead the Jayhawks to a championship

These three players could be X-factors that help Kansas basketball make a deep run in March

By Joshua Schulman

Kansas freshman guard Elmarko Jackson (13) looks back after scoring against Missouri during the Border Showdown
Kansas freshman guard Elmarko Jackson (13) looks back after scoring against Missouri during the Border Showdown / Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal / USA
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Johnny Furphy, Jordan Gainey
Allstate Maui Invitiational - Day Three / Mitchell Layton/GettyImages

3. Johnny Furphy

The Australian phenom who made a name for himself at the NBA Academy Games over the summer has been off and on during the 2023-24 season. There have been moments when he has scored the ball efficiently in limited minutes, while there have also been some struggles on the defensive side.

Through 12 games, Furphy is averaging 5.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.5 steals on 47.9% shooting. Even though he leads the bench in scoring, those numbers leave something to be desired. Now is the time for Furphy to start playing his best basketball with Big 12 play approaching.

We have seen countless Bill Self-led teams plagued by a lack of depth, and that narrative is no different with this team. Nick Timberlake is in his own head and has been a nonfactor all year, so Furphy is the best chance for KU to get some production from the second unit.

feed

Home/Kansas Jayhawks Basketball