Duke Basketball Has 'Heavy Interest' in Breakout Australian Star

The Duke basketball program now has a proven track record with Australians.

Matt Giles | Jul 11, 2023

Duke Basketball Has 'Heavy Interest' in Breakout Australian Star /

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First came Jack White, now on contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Then there's Tyrese Proctor, now entering his sophomore Duke basketball campaign.

And on Tuesday, 247Sports' Travis Branham reported that the Blue Devils have recently "expressed heavy interest" in yet another Australian. That player is Johnny Furphy, a 6-foot-7, 180-pound small forward who was initially in the 2023 class but decided to reclassify to 2024 after not receiving as much interest as he would have liked last year.

But according to Branham, Furphy still wants to take the college route, and his game is now at the level where he should see a ranking and rating (likely a four-star) by his name once he commits to playing for an NCAA team.

Last week at the NBA Academy Games in Atlanta, where top prospects outside the United States showcase their talents every July, the 18-year-old showed off his athleticism and dramatic improvement as a versatile weapon on both ends of the floor.

A few clips from Johnny Furphy (2024) at the 2023 NBA Academy Games.

Showed off his length and athleticism at both ends, finishing above the rim, knocking down threes, and attacking off closeouts.

Per @DraftExpress, over 20+ HM offers as a result of his performance. pic.twitter.com/FXTvBjuoaA
— Michael Houben (@michaelhoub) July 9, 2023

The Duke basketball staff is far from alone in eyeing Johnny Furphy. In addition to reported offers from Charleston, Georgetown, Kansas, Marquette, Providence, and Ole Miss, plus the interest from the Blue Devils, he's heard from coaches at UNC, Gonzaga, Pitt, UCLA, and others.

Most of his offers have come within the past few days.

Meanwhile, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer and his cohorts already enjoy commitments from a couple of 2024 small forwards in Paul VI Catholic (Va.) four-star Darren Harris and North Meck (N.C.) five-star Isaiah Evans.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke basketball recruiting news.

Published Jul 11, 2023

MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.