WATCH: Kansas star Johnny Furphy shows off his Rolex watch and diamond necklace as part of the 2024 NBA draft night outfit
Kansas Jayhawks hooper Johnny Furphy is expected to be a first-round draft pick, and that's what his draft night outfit reflected on Wednesday.
The Jayhawks' Instagram account uploaded a stylish video of the Australian-born hooper while he got dressed. Fans could see him wearing a Rolex watch; a crisp, blue blazer with map details; a black bow tie; and a diamond-studded tennis necklace. The cuff of the shirt featured Johnny's initials: JP.
There was a message stitched on the back of the collar that read:
"Welcome to the league."
The caption of the video was:
"Furph looking fresh 🧊"
Kansas’ Johnny Furphy is a hot commodity in the 2024 NBA draft
Kansas' Johnny Furphy went from having one college basketball scholarship offer to becoming a projected first-round pick in the 2024 NBA draft. He rose to NBA draft prospect status within a year. Because his birthdate falls in December, it led him to eventually enroll at Kansas from Australia’s Centre for Excellence.
The Jayhawks coach Bill Self recruited Furphy after being impressed by his potential and performance.
“Coach Self was super enthusiastic about me, and he knew how good I can be," Furphy told USA Today. "He really saw that potential. Coach Self giving me an opportunity, let alone just letting me come to Kansas and then giving me an opportunity to play, all the credit goes to him.
“Kansas reached out to me and said, ‘We got a spot for you this year.’”
His success, averaging 9.0 points and 4.9 rebounds in Big 12 games, elevated his draft stock and garnered attention from numerous NBA teams.
The Australian-born hooper belongs to an athletic family. His father, Richard, played professional Australian Rules Football, while his mother, Liza, is an elite driver. His siblings also play soccer and football.
Johnny Furphy’s NBA dream should become a reality soon.
“The NBA has always been my motivation.”
Despite initially having no expectations upon arriving at Kansas, Furphy’s dedication, talent, and HC Self’s support have propelled him toward his NBA aspirations at a faster pace than anticipated.