2024 NBA draft draws closer for Kansas basketball’s Johnny Furphy, Kevin McCullar Jr.
LAWRENCE — With the NBA draft a couple of weeks away now, excitement is building around where two Kansas basketball standouts could be selected this year.
Johnny Furphy, a freshman guard this past season, became a starter for the Jayhawks after starting out as an option off the bench. He emerged not just as a quality freshman for coach Bill Self, but one of the best freshmen in the Big 12 Conference. Furphy, who started 19 of the 33 games he played in and averaged 9.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, has the size, athleticism and 3-point shooting ability that make him an intriguing developmental prospect for NBA teams.
Kevin McCullar Jr., a graduate senior guard this past season, played as a regular starter for the Jayhawks across the past couple of seasons after starting his college career at Texas Tech. One of the best defensive options in the nation, he also showcased how much more of an offensive option he can be during his last season at Kansas. If he had been able to remain healthy he might have been an All-American, and across 26 starts he averaged 18.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
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Here are a few mock draft projections, as of June 12, for where Furphy and McCullar could be selected when the NBA draft is held later this month:
Johnny Furphy
CBS Sports (Gary Parrish): 1st round, 19th overall
The Ringer (Kevin O’Connor): 1st round, 24th overall
CBS Sports (Travis Branham): 1st round, 29th overall
Furphy has largely been described as a prospect who should end up being selected in the first round. The potential remains he could end up going in the early second round. However, odds are he won’t have to wait too long on draft night to hear his name called.
Kevin McCullar Jr.
CBS Sports (Gary Parrish): 1st round, 23rd overall
The Ringer (Kevin O’Connor): 2nd round, 46th overall
CBS Sports (Travis Branham): 1st round, 28th overall
McCullar has also received a number of projections as a first round pick, but he has often been described as a second round pick as well. The more he can sustain improved 3-point shooting, and stay healthy, the better his chances are of finding the right organization and earning a role there. Don’t be surprised if his experience and defensive capabilities help him rise into the late part of the first round.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: KU basketball: Where will Johnny Furphy, Kevin McCullar Jr. be picked?
