2026 NBA Draft & U19 World Cup Analysis w/ Adam Finkelstein | Game Theory Podcast

[auror]

Might not normally post this as 2 national media members talking about NBA draft-oriented stuff, but between Fink being a UConn guy, Vecenie having connections to the staff, and UConn having 2 guys at the U19 (and Vecenie being obsessed with Furphy), I think they spent a solid 15 minutes talking about various UConn players and basically the whole team and strength and conditioning program throughout the interview. I did not expect a ton of Dwayne Koroma talk going into the video on 2026 U19 draft prospects, but I sure was surprised.


0:49:22 Furphy talk
1:09:30 Talk about Reibe that dovetails into the rest of the roster.

 

[BuffaloHusky]

This is amazingly thoughtful stuff and even pulls back the curtain on what is definitely inside information.

 

[dennismenace]

Might not normally post this as 2 national media members talking about NBA draft-oriented stuff, but between Fink being a UConn guy, Vecenie having connections to the staff, and UConn having 2 guys at the U19 (and Vecenie being obsessed with Furphy), I think they spent a solid 15 minutes talking about various UConn players and basically the whole team and strength and conditioning program throughout the interview. I did not expect a ton of Dwayne Koroma talk going into the video on 2026 U19 draft prospects, but I sure was surprised.


0:49:22 Furphy talk
1:09:30 Talk about Reibe that dovetails into the rest of the roster.

The commentary here and elsewhere strongly suggest that Furphy is a "coach on the floor" reminiscent of AK and the kind of player Dan Hurley really loves. International "NBA prep school" or whatever they call it has a lot to say for it based on the heady players that come from abroad. The talk on Karoma indicates that there is more appreciation around the rest of basketball than from the BY. He played for Pitino at Iona so he has to have a work ethic suitable for Uconn.

 

[husky429]

They're pretty much on board with what I scouted before.

Both are very high on Mullins. I'm not sure I agree with how high they are on his defense. The body of work with his hs level competition is not much. But the athleticism and shooting and competitiveness on the kid is ridiculously elite.

Vecenie thinks Furphy is a AA by junior year. High IQ and toughness for his age. Love the shooting and handles for his size.

Both are pretty low on Reibe. Worried about his durability (ankles) and rebounding and shotblocking. His handles and shooting are great for his size/age, but he isn't defending or rebounding like we will need in a backup. Talked a bit about using Koroma or AK at the 5 without Reed.

 

[RuffRuff]

 

[Lafayette]

Jacob Furphy is a steal for UConn - I think he parallels Mullins a little bit but a little more Cam, a little less Mullins...just a gamer who finds ways to score, competitive, fiery, plays D and can be a point forward, wing, or 2 guard. Maybe even bring the ball up if need be but this is not last year, so hope not.

 

[aceboon]

good read on Reibe and Furphy from Fox Sports

The World Is Dan Hurley’s Playground: UConn Strikes Gold with Furphy and Reibe | FOX Sports

Known for their sharp eye in evaluating talent, UConn’s coaching staff went global — landing Jacob Furphy and Eric Reibe — two international prospects who fit the Huskies’ system to a tee.

www.foxsports.com

 

[RuffRuff]

Jacob Furphy is a steal for UConn - I think he parallels Mullins a little bit but a little more Cam, a little less Mullins...just a gamer who finds ways to score, competitive, fiery, plays D and can be a point forward, wing, or 2 guard. Maybe even bring the ball up if need be but this is not last year, so hope not.

On our side is the fact it’s heavily thought, because of the week 2026 HS class, that the 2027 draft is going to be weak and opportunistic for anyone on the fence.

 

[Lafayette]

On our side is the fact it’s heavily thought, because of the week 2026 HS class, that the 2027 draft is going to be weak and opportunistic for anyone on the fence.

Agree and with perspective on each HS class - some are strong, some are weak - this one (2026) is considered weaker with a tier after established with Stokes and some say Jordan Smith too but that's Tier I, whereas 2025 was considered a bit better as even at 12 Mullins is considered SG #2 but I have to think even objectively he is better a SG than Arenas.

The problem is Top 10 HS recruits feel they are entitled to start, max NIL, and have 1 or 2 years to the NBA. Doesn't matter if "we" feel 2026 is much weaker than 2025 and 2024.

For 2027 I will give that some time to sort out. Whole lotta games to play in 2025-26 to worry about that now.