Report: Kansas forward Johnny Furphy invited to attend NBA Draft in green room

LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) - Kansas forward Johnny Furphy has a chance to be the next first-round pick of the Bill Self era.

That chance seems to be trending in the right direction, as Friday a report from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony said the 19-year-old Australian was given an invite to attend this June’s NBA Draft from the green room. A green room invitation indicates good chances for a prospect to be selected in the first half of the first round.

Furphy averaged 9.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per game during his lone season at Kansas.

He announced just before the early entrant withdrawal deadline on May 29 that he was going to remain in the 2024 NBA Draft. Earlier that month, Kansas head coach Bill Self told Andy Katz that was KU’s expectation.

“Johnny probably had a better freshman year than what anyone would ever imagine,” Self admitted in early May.

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Givony and ESPN have Furphy ranked as the 18th-best player in the draft class. If selection in the first round, Furphy would make it four out of the past five seasons with a Jayhawk being picked in the first round. Last season, Kansas guard Gradey Dick was selected 13th overall by the Toronto Raptors.

Kevin McCullar, who played his final two seasons of college basketball with the Jayhawks, has a chance to be one of the final picks of the first round.

The 2024 NBA Draft will be held in Brooklyn, New York, on June 26-27.