2025 Recruiting: Jacob Furphy Watch

[boog204]

High bar for a floor, as a highly productive starter on an NC isn’t too shabby. Also hard to determine much from a short video of a couple 3s and a couple takes to the rim against Aussie players. You can make anyone look good screening out 5 positive plays. I guess I’m not sure why more schools weren’t in on him. If the international piece limits impact on NIL, and he’s good, would seem golden. I’m tempering expectations as from a roster construction perspective and recruiting dynamic, feels like a LT development piece. None of these videos offer any sense how he’d look against US hoopsters, and playing the Mongolian national team isn’t exactly the Celtics. IQ is massive, but you also need some athleticism.

If he’s coming this direction with up to 7 guards in front of him between returners and higher priority recruits, he’s coming anticipating not playing year one.

Furphy was selected, as a junior, to be a part of the Basketball Without Borders camp which is kind of the elite "world" basketball showcase. Maluach from Duke, Riley and Jakucionis from Illinois, and Nolan Traore, who many here were fiending over, were also there. The previous year there were three lottery picks who were chosen to play in this showcase. Furphy won the sportsmanship award and was lauded for his "shooting, BBIQ, and connecting playmaking."

Prospect Analysis: Basketball Without Borders Global Camp

In the latest edition of “P.I. Pulse”, Pro Insight’s Alex Brown and David Hendren dive into a phenomenal group of 2006-born prospects from

www.prospectiveinsight.com

Furphy is not a "low-major" or long-term development player. Giffey was not as accomplished internationally as Furphy and we have a couple of "experts" saying he is a stud. Yes it's sometimes hard to gauge when viewing some of the comp but you can see that he absolutely "knows" how to play. The numbers also back up that he is a serious talent.

Here's Taj Gibson being "blown away" by Furphy at another camp.

Ex-pro blown away by young Aussie at NBA camp

'There's a lot of talent here'

www.nine.com.au

 

[RuffRuff]

Furphy was selected, as a junior to be a part of the Basketball Without Borders camp which is kind of the elite "world" basketball showcase. Maluach from Duke, Riley and Jakucionis from Illinois, and Nolan Traore, who many here were fiending over, were also there. The previous year there were three lottery picks who were chosen to play in this showcase. Furphy won the sportsmanship award and was lauded for his "shooting, BBIQ, and connecting playmaking."

Prospect Analysis: Basketball Without Borders Global Camp

In the latest edition of “P.I. Pulse”, Pro Insight’s Alex Brown and David Hendren dive into a phenomenal group of 2006-born prospects from

www.prospectiveinsight.com

Furphy is not a "low-major" or long-term development player. Giffey was not as accomplished internationally as Furphy and we have a couple of "experts" saying he is a stud. Yes it's sometimes hard to gauge when viewing some of the comp but you can see that he absolutely "knows" how to play. The numbers also back up that he is a serious talent.

Here's Taj Gibson being "blown away" by Furphy at another camp.

Ex-pro blown away by young Aussie at NBA camp

'There's a lot of talent here'

www.nine.com.au

Great intel - thanks for sharing. My hunch officially swung.

 

[KingAG]

Why does everyone think ball is gone after this year? Where is he going? Europe? I haven't seen an NBA player yet who can consistently play well. Let's see how he plays for at least half the season before touting this. I personally see more potential with Stewart due to his size and ability to score in multiple ways. I guess we will find out more as the season goes but I think Ball might stay around for another year. I know he has long reach for 6'3" but he isn't an elite shooter like Hawkins who can get off the ball super fast and hasn't shown yet to consistently be able to get the rim even though he is good athlete. I still feel his handle is not super tight from what I have seen.

Who was the last player Hurley hyped up pre season that flopped? He's gonna take the Hurely sophmore jump and be in first round mock drafts. I'll take some bets..

 

[husky429]

This feels like a high-reward recruitment with little risk because of the limited NIL opportunities for foreigners and the extra scholarships available. The competition he's played against isn't great, his athleticism is questionable, but his skill level is insane for his age. He could end up Cam Spencer or be the 11th guy for 4 years, and I'm not sure I'd be surprised by any of it.

 

[bendm]

if furphy is as good as some claim, then the tea leaves seem to be saying solo is going pro after this season. the hype is real.

 

[nomar]

Great intel - thanks for sharing. My hunch officially swung.

I'm bullish on him. I don't know why he apparently was only deciding between us and Illinois. Both are great programs, but why didn't he take any other visits (that we know about)? I doubt very much it was a lack of interest from college programs.

 

[DogMania]

This feels like a high-reward recruitment with little risk because of the limited NIL opportunities for foreigners and the extra scholarships available. The competition he's played against isn't great, his athleticism is questionable, but his skill level is insane for his age. He could end up Cam Spencer or be the 11th guy for 4 years, and I'm not sure I'd be surprised by any of it.

Based on the clips that were posted, he might not be an elite athlete, but he looks more athletic than Cam. I don't recall Cam, or even Newton, dunking often or at all, while Furphy had a couple dunks late in those clips. Even at 6-4, flushing one during a game doesn't happen unless you have some solid level of athleticism.

He'd be fine here if teamed with 1 to 2 more athletic perimeter players. Hurley teaches solid team D. Granted, if you have too many moderate to low end athletes that lack quickness, that can be exposed by well coached athletic teams. Look at last season. They defended pretty good with Cam and Newton in the game, though having Castle or Has, and/or Stewart on the floor, and Clingan cleaning up inside when things broke down, helped tighten the D.

On offense, he'd fit right in, though his game does seem to have some redundancy with Adams. They both have very similar scoring abilities, especially the catch and shoot off of multi-acton, though Furphy seems to handle the ball more, initiate the offense and create his own shot, where Adams seems to be developing a catch, curl and drive game to compliment his deep catch a shoot. They both seem crafty creating space for their 3-ball when they do catch the ball.

I always find it fascinating that many college and pro ballers don't know how to create space and knock 'em down. For at college level, Cam was exception at that. At the pro level, Brown and Tatum of the C's are very good at that, to name a few. There are many others in the NBA who are good at it, though it's just surprising more haven't developed that at that next level. I'm sure those who do have been coached well and have worked their asses off developing those skills.

 

[husky429]

Based on the clips that were posted, he might not be an elite athlete, but he looks more athletic than Cam. I don't recall Cam, or even Newton, dunking often or at all, while Furphy had a couple dunks late in those clips. Even at 6-4, flushing one during a game doesn't happen unless you have some solid level of athleticism.

He'd be fine here if teamed with 1 to 2 more athletic perimeter players. Hurley teaches solid team D. Granted, if you have too many moderate to low end athletes that lack quickness, that can be exposed by well coached athletic teams. Look at last season. They defended pretty good with Cam and Newton in the game, though having Castle or Has, and/or Stewart on the floor, and Clingan cleaning up inside when things broke down, helped tighten the D.

On offense, he'd fit right in, though his game does seem to have some redundancy with Adams. They both have very similar scoring abilities, especially the catch and shoot off of multi-acton, though Furphy seems to handle the ball more, initiate the offense and create his own shot, where Adams seems to be developing a catch, curl and drive game to compliment his deep catch a shoot. They both seem crafty creating space for their 3-ball when they do catch the ball.

I always find it fascinating that many college and pro ballers don't know how to create space and knock 'em down. For at college level, Cam was exception at that. At the pro level, Brown and Tatum of the C's are very good at that, to name a few. There are many others in the NBA who are good at it, though it's just surprising more haven't developed that at that next level. I'm sure those who do have been coached well and have worked their asses off developing those skills.

Tristen was a better vertical athlete than he let on.

But your point is true. Skill is the difference-maker in college more than athleticism. Hard to find the court if you're an athlete without skill on a UConn team. You can be a difference-maker--even if it's a bench role--if you have the skill.

 

[RuffRuff]

I'm bullish on him. I don't know why he apparently was only deciding between us and Illinois. Both are great programs, but why didn't he take any other visits (that we know about)? I doubt very much it was a lack of interest from college

Yeah and I mean Illinois is a good program, but if he’s as good as advertised you might think a few other tier 1s would be sniffing around given the advantages. Perhaps a couple west coast teams prone to think internationally. Maybe he likes coaches that go shirtless and use water guns.

Separately Big10 doesn’t have one top 50 kid signed yet. McKenna to UM might be the first, it’s been a rough cycle for that conference.

 

[aceboon]

Kasparas Jakucionis from Lithuania is being pegged as a one and done/potential lottery pick and he went to Illinois, not sure why Illinois being in on Furphy is being used to somehow knock Furphy's talent level.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I'm bullish on him. I don't know why he apparently was only deciding between us and Illinois. Both are great programs, but why didn't he take any other visits (that we know about)? I doubt very much it was a lack of interest from college programs.

I think he wanted to commit after our visit but we made him wait. He had the Illinois visit set up before our visit. Now he’s just waiting for us to give him the final call, the other schools probably know what’s up.

 

[HooperScooper]

Separately Big10 doesn’t have one top 50 kid signed yet. McKenna to UM might be the first, it’s been a rough cycle for that conference.

That's crazy. Remember 4 weeks ago when posters on here were complaining that UConn hadn't had a commitment yet? Who were those worry warts anyway?

 

[businesslawyer]

NBA Global Academy Technical Director Marty Clarke on Furphy at 16 two years ago:

"What Jacob brings is an understanding of how to be a pro...what we usually have to teach here, he already has," referring to drive, maturity, polish, BB IQ, and team-oriented attitude.

Is that the Marty Clarke from England and BC, who started on the Jay Murphy/John Bagley teams?

 

[businesslawyer]

Giffey was already very high IQ defensively as a freshman, he moved exceptionally well laterally for a 6-7 guy without hops. "Worst Case" Giffey just sounds like a crazy high floor to me haha, but I'm quite excited about Furphy regardless.

LOL. We've come so far, and are so full of ourselves, that bringing in a kid to win 2 championships in 4 years is no longer good enough!!

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Is that the Marty Clarke from England and BC, who started on the Jay Murphy/John Bagley teams?

On BC's 1982 final four team, Clarke (I also wonder if it's the same guy) was their only starter who wasn't from Connecticut. Sadly Perno did not offer any of the four (Garris, Murphy, Bagley, Adams) a scholarship.

 

[hookshot]

is there any highlights from this event?

Obviously two different guys pictured

 

[Umami Zen]

Gonna roll with Danny's instincts. If he thinks there is a need for a non-American player that can play positions 1-3 with a high BBIQ and a ton of international experience.. He's seeing stuff in practice that he likes re: player development for the existing roster and future PT for incoming freshmen.

 

[Stinger92860]

On BC's 1982 final four team, Clarke (I also wonder if it's the same guy) was their only starter who wasn't from Connecticut. Sadly Perno did not offer any of the four (Garris, Murphy, Bagley, Adams) a scholarship.

I grew up in Bridgeport around this time and it broke my heart to see these kids at BC.

 

[Lambeau]

Marty Clarke is an Australian national team coach who spent some time as an assistant at St. Mary"s.

 

[Mr. French]

People have to also remember: this dude just turned 18. If he’s close to as polished as Cam and also already as big, strong and more athletic…that’s why he’s a good prospect. Cam was 23 last year.

 

[BlueMAB]

Who was the last player Hurley hyped up pre season that flopped? He's gonna take the Hurely sophmore jump and be in first round mock drafts. I'll take some bets..

Samson Johnson.

I’m a fan, I think this place undervalues him at times. But he’s not a lottery pick no matter how much Hurley hypes him up.

 

[FreeKlaiber]

Giffey was already very high IQ defensively as a freshman, he moved exceptionally well laterally for a 6-7 guy without hops. "Worst Case" Giffey just sounds like a crazy high floor to me haha, but I'm quite excited about Furphy regardless.

Freshman year he averaged 2 pts one rebound in 10 minutes a game.

By his senior year he was an indispensable glue player at 8 pts per game.

I am a big fan of Niels, but saying that is a "crazy high floor" for Furphy is something we will find out

 

[3rdbass]

Who was the last player Hurley hyped up pre season that flopped? He's gonna take the Hurely sophmore jump and be in first round mock drafts. I'll take some bets..

I don't follow the Hurley Hype but I don't see anyone skill that sticks out right now for him. Just being an athletic 6'3" player is not going to get someone drafted. He is going to have show a lot of progression which he hasn't done yet. I just think people need to cool on these projections based on preseason until he proves himself. I still think Stewart has a better chance of getting drafted with his skills and height.

 

[Lambeau]

I wasn't a Solo believer until the Rhode Island game seemed to confirm the consistent summer hype. With a 7 ft wingspan and 43" vertical, he is astonishing physically--but had to produce. 18 points and 5 rebounds in 20 min on 50% 3 pt shooting supports that he's stepped up,
and is evidence Dan Hurley is not blowing smoke. Stew, on the other hand, seems to be disappointing Dan Hurley, had six points, consistent with last year's negligible production, and seems still in the potential phase, without demonstrable evidence yet of readiness for the League. As
Billy Beane says, "You can't just look good in jeans."

 

[husky429]

I wasn't a Solo believer until the Rhode Island game seemed to confirm the consistent summer hype. With a 7 ft wingspan and 43" vertical, he is astonishing physically--but had to produce. 18 points and 5 rebounds in 20 min on 50% 3 pt shooting supports that he's stepped up,
and is evidence Dan Hurley is not blowing smoke. Stew, on the other hand, seems to be disappointing Dan Hurley, had six points, consistent with last year's negligible production, and seems still in the potential phase, without demonstrable evidence yet of readiness for the League. As
Billy Beane says, "You can't just look good in jeans."

I really wouldn't read too much into a single game on Stewart. We've had guys look like NBA players in the preaseason who can barely see the floor before (and vice versa).

 

[navery12]

Anytime Solo has gotten extended run he's looked really good. The fact that he didn't get a ton of minutes on the best college basketball team in 20 years isn't going to be held against him. He defends really well, has all the measurables, and by the end of the year he was shooting the ball really well from deep. He's going to be a focus of the offense this year and he's going to be an NBA player

 

[RuffRuff]

Anytime Solo has gotten extended run he's looked really good. The fact that he didn't get a ton of minutes on the best college basketball team in 20 years isn't going to be held against him. He defends really well, has all the measurables, and by the end of the year he was shooting the ball really well from deep. He's going to be a focus of the offense this year and he's going to be an NBA player

Couldn’t agree more. Hard to evaluate a kid as a freshman for lack of minutes when he’s behind that roster.

Interesting piece with Lewis’ thought process around a potential incoming roster. Smart kid.

 

[CTBasketball]

On BC's 1982 final four team, Clarke (I also wonder if it's the same guy) was their only starter who wasn't from Connecticut. Sadly Perno did not offer any of the four (Garris, Murphy, Bagley, Adams) a scholarship.

The rumor around Central CT was that Murphy loved shaving points. However I think he was there after that fiasco.

 

[KingAG]

I don't follow the Hurley Hype but I don't see anyone skill that sticks out right now for him. Just being an athletic 6'3" player is not going to get someone drafted. He is going to have show a lot of progression which he hasn't done yet. I just think people need to cool on these projections based on preseason until he proves himself. I still think Stewart has a better chance of getting drafted with his skills and height.

I don’t think you’ve actually watched him to make that statement.

 

[KingAG]

Samson Johnson.

I’m a fan, I think this place undervalues him at times. But he’s not a lottery pick no matter how much Hurley hypes him up.

1. Samson Johnson hasn’t flopped.

2. Saying he has wall potential in the future isn’t the same as Hurley declaring who will be guys the upcoming season. He hasn’t missed.