Johnny Furphy has quickly gone from a rising prospect in Australia to a promising young guard for the Indiana Pacers. With his smooth shooting touch, long wingspan and relentless motor, he’s already turned heads in his rookie season and given fans plenty to talk about.
In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about him-his background, breakout moments on the court, financial milestones and what’s next for this 20-year-old phenom.
Johnny Furphy’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | John William Furphy |
| Date of Birth | December 8, 2004 |
| Age | 20 |
| Education | University of Kansas (Freshman) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Weight | 200 lbs (90.7 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2024 |
| Net Worth | $1 million |
| Salary/Career Earnings | See table below |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Instagram Profile | @johnnyfurphy |
| Twitter Profile | N/A |
Early Career
Johnny Furphy’s basketball journey really took off long before NBA scouts caught on-it started in suburban Melbourne, where he grew up in a sporting family that valued hard work and versatility. As a lanky 13-year-old, Furphy first made waves playing for local clubs, but his real break came when he earned a spot in Basketball Victoria’s State Development Program.
There, coaches spotted his natural shooting touch and defensive instincts, and pushed him to compete in Victoria’s Big V Division 1 league with Melbourne University. Facing grown men twice his age taught Furphy how to use his length and athleticism, even when he couldn’t rely solely on strength.
Furphy’s steady progress earned him a scholarship to Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Canberra. That program has molded countless Australian pros, and Furphy dove into its elite strength training, skill sessions and international tournaments.
In the CoE’s NBL1 East schedule, he averaged 14.3 points and 5.6 rebounds over 12 games, showing off a silky jump shot and impressive knack for filling up the stat sheet. Even a broken wrist in early 2023 couldn’t derail him-he rehabbed diligently and returned to action determined to prove the injury was only a hiccup.
Furphy’s first taste of global competition came that October when he joined the NBA Global Academy in Spain. Pitted against top prospects from around the world, he held his own, delivering timely buckets and locking down opponents.
A few months later, in January 2023, he starred at the North East Prep Invitational in Providence, earning All-Tournament honors after a string of 20-plus scoring nights. Yet, despite these flashes, recruiters still saw him as a raw project; at one point he had only one Division I offer-from Sacramento State.
Everything changed during the NBA Academy Games in Atlanta that summer. On that stage, Furphy’s length, quick release and defensive versatility caught fire. He scored efficiently, showed off nifty footwork and repeatedly snatched loose balls, making it impossible for coaches to ignore him.
By the end of the event, mock drafts pegged him as a late first-round talent and more than 30 major programs-from Kansas to North Carolina-came calling. Furphy later called that week his “coming-out party,” the moment he realized NBA dreams were suddenly within reach.
Professional Career
Johnny Furphy’s professional journey officially began when he signed a four-year rookie scale contract with the Indiana Pacers on July 7, 2024, after being selected 35th overall and traded on draft night.
From the moment he arrived in Indianapolis, Furphy embraced the challenge of adapting to NBA life, spending long hours in practice mastering playbook sets and refining the timing of his three-point shot. Coaches praised his coachability, noting that his willingness to stay late in shootarounds and extra film sessions mirrored veteran pros more than a 20-year-old rookie.
Once the season tipped off, Furphy settled into a bench role, appearing in 36 games and carving out a niche as a floor-spacing wing who could defend multiple positions. His minutes were carefully managed, with coaching staff at times sending him to the Indiana Mad Ants in the G League to ensure he received consistent game experience and could work on ball-handling against live competition.
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That shuttling back and forth helped him build confidence-by the turn of the calendar year, teammates noticed his step-back three was more fluid and that he attacked closeouts with greater conviction.
Furphy’s breakout moment arrived on April 12, 2025, in a late-season matchup against the Orlando Magic. With starter minutes resting in anticipation of the playoffs, he exploded for a career-high 17 points, grabbed six rebounds, dished out three assists and even posterized center Goga Bitadze with a thunderous dunk that instantly went viral among Pacers fans.
That slam symbolized his growth-not just as an athlete but as a competitor who had learned to seize opportunities when they mattered most. After the game, head coach Rick Carlisle lauded Furphy’s “pure competitiveness and relentless motor,” predicting those flashes were a taste of things to come.
Over the course of the rookie season, Furphy averaged 1.7 points and 1.1 rebounds in 6.9 minutes per game, shooting .368 from the field and .344 from beyond the arc-marks that underscored his efficiency in limited action.
More importantly, his presence on the floor provided Indiana with reliable spacing and switch-able defense, traits that align perfectly with the modern NBA’s emphasis on versatility.
Internally, the Pacers organization views him as a cornerstone of their future wing rotation, someone who can grow into a 20-minute-a-night contributor as early as next season.
Johnny Furphy’s Net Worth Details
Johnny Furphy’s net worth is estimated to be $1 million as of 2025.
Contract
Johnny Furphy inked a four-year rookie-scale contract with the Indiana Pacers on July 7, 2024, after being selected 35th overall. His deal guarantees him roughly $1.85 million in Year 1, escalating modestly each season to about $2.49 million by Year 4, with fully guaranteed salaries in the first two years and team options on years three and four.
This structure follows the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement for second-round picks, giving Indiana control of his early career while providing Furphy with financial security as he develops.
Salary
In his rookie 2024–25 season Furphy earned $1,850,842 under his Indiana Pacers rookie-scale deal. His pay then steps up to $1,955,377 in 2025–26, followed by $2,296,271 in 2026–27 and $2,486,995 in 2027–28. The first two seasons are fully guaranteed, with team options on years three and four, giving him solid financial security as he works to expand his role.
Career Earnings
| Season | Team | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | Indiana Pacers | $1,850,842 |
| 2025–26 | Indiana Pacers | $1,955,377 |
| 2026–27 | Indiana Pacers | $2,296,271 |
| 2027–28 | Indiana Pacers | $2,486,995 |
NBA Career Stats
| Season | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | IND | 36 | 0 | 6.9 | .368 | .344 | 1.000 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 1.7 |
FAQs
1. For which college basketball team has Johnny Furphy played in the United States?
Furphy played for the University of Kansas Jayhawks, quickly earning a role in the rotation as a freshman due to his athleticism and shooting ability.
2. What position does Furphy play and what are his primary strengths?
He plays as a wing, often deployed as a shooting guard or small forward. Furphy is recognized for outside shooting, vertical leaping, and high energy on both ends of the court.
3. What is Furphy’s basketball background prior to joining college basketball?
He grew up in Melbourne, Australia, showcased his skills in the Basketball Victoria program, and represented Centre of Excellence teams, earning attention from NCAA scouts.
4. Has Furphy received any international basketball experience?
He played for Australian youth national teams and competed in events like the FIBA U17 World Cup, demonstrating his versatility and skill against top junior talent globally.
5. What impact did Furphy make during his freshman college season?
He made immediate contributions for Kansas, providing regular scoring off the bench, rebounding, and defending multiple positions, becoming a fan favorite with highlight plays.
6. Which aspects of Furphy’s game do coaches and analysts praise most?
Coaches commend his three-point shooting, quick release, and motor. Analysts highlight Furphy’s quick adjustment to the speed of the college game and willingness to defend elite wings.
7. What are Furphy’s physical attributes and how do they influence his role?
Standing around 6-foot-8 with a lengthy wingspan, Furphy’s size allows him to shoot over smaller defenders, contest shots, and effectively finish in transition or off cuts to the rim.
8. What are Furphy’s academic and off-court interests at Kansas?
He is known for strong academic focus and involvement in community service, using his platform to support youth sports initiatives and mentoring younger basketball players.
9. Does Furphy have aspirations for a professional basketball career?
He aims to play professionally, with scouts projecting potential for the NBA due to his shooting and athletic upside. Furphy continually works on his ball-handling and strength to reach the next level.
10. How do teammates and staff describe Furphy’s work ethic and influence in the locker room?
Teammates describe him as dedicated and humble, always willing to put in extra time at practice. His positivity and adaptability have made him a respected presence on and off the court.
