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.
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. Who is Johnny Furphy?
Johnny Furphy is an Australian professional basketball player born December 8, 2004 in Melbourne. Standing 6’9” and playing shooting guard, he starred at the University of Kansas before being selected 35th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft and joining the Indiana Pacers.
2. Where did Johnny Furphy grow up and how did he start his basketball career?
Furphy grew up in Melbourne, Australia, attending Maribyrnong College on a sports scholarship. At 16 he played two games for the Hawthorn Magic in the Big V Championship, then competed for Melbourne University in Division One before moving to Canberra’s Centre of Excellence.
3. What were Johnny Furphy’s accomplishments in the NBL1 with the Centre of Excellence?
Furphy appeared in three games for the BA Centre of Excellence during the 2022 NBL1 season and in 12 games during 2023. He averaged 14.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in 2023, showcasing his scoring ability and readiness for higher competition.
4. What were Johnny Furphy’s statistics and achievements during his college career at Kansas?
Furphy played 33 games with 19 starts, averaging nine points, 4.9 rebounds and one assist in 24.1 minutes per game. He shot 46.6 percent from the field and 35.2 percent from three, earning Big 12 All-Freshman Team honors.
5. How did Johnny Furphy enter the NBA and which team drafted him?
Furphy declared for the 2024 NBA Draft. He was selected 35th overall by the San Antonio Spurs and immediately traded on draft night to the Indiana Pacers, who signed him in July 2024 and assigned him to the G League’s Mad Ants.
6. What is Johnny Furphy’s playing style and position?
Furphy is a modern NBA wing combining 6’9” size with off-ball movement and smooth shooting. Primarily a shooting guard, he spaces the floor with reliable three-point accuracy and uses craft around the rim rather than pure explosiveness to finish.
7. What notable performances has Johnny Furphy had in his NBA career so far?
Furphy recorded a career-high 17 points, six rebounds and three assists over 32 minutes for the Pacers in an April 11, 2025 game against the Orlando Magic. He continues to develop through G League stints while contributing off Indiana’s bench.
8. What are Johnny Furphy’s key strengths and areas for improvement?
Furphy’s shooting touch (35 percent from three), finishing efficiency (74 percent at the rim) and basketball IQ. They note his areas for growth include self-creation off the dribble, midrange shooting consistency and adding strength and quickness on defense.
9. What are Johnny Furphy’s physical measurements and how do they impact his game?
Furphy’s length allows him to shoot over smaller defenders and rebound effectively. His slender build suits a stretch wing role, though adding muscle will help him absorb contact and finish more consistently at the NBA level.
10. What awards and recognitions has Johnny Furphy earned?
Furphy was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team in 2024 and received a green room invitation for the 2024 NBA Draft. He also stood out in the NBL1 with the Centre of Excellence and achieved a Pacers rookie milestone with his 17-point NBA performance.
