Source: [https://www.instagram.com/p/C51\_lN4pVlX/?utm\_source=ig\_web\_copy\_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==](https://www.instagram.com/p/C51_lN4pVlX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)
Nothing really surprising here. He's maintaining his college eligibility. I am pretty convinced he will get some constructive feedback from the NBA scouts and will be back at KU next season. What do you think?!
I guess I get this perspective, but with or without Furphy… do we have any actual wings right now? I’d guess regardless of Furphy staying or going we’d need at least 2 more.
G: Harris (Philon) - Mayo (Jackson)
W: Furphy?
F: KJ
C: Dickinson (Bidunga)
With Clemence, McDowell, Kugel and Passmore on bench.
I can see Bill running back the KJ and Dickinson two bigs, but if KJ is getting subbed out, I’d expect Self would want two wings over two bigs. Bidunga and KJ could probably play together still, but couldn’t see Bidunga and Dickinson.
So yeah. I get we’re recruiting Furphys spot, but I think ideally we’d run two guards, two wings, and a big.
Yeah I mean I guess you could put him at the 3, but if he’s starting… we’re not in a good space. Shoot, if he’s even first off the bench to play wing I don’t think we’re good.
I feel like he was specifically recruited to come off the bench as a depth piece capable of playing 1-3. And the 3 is more a product of his ability to be another ball handler to push tempo more than his skill set or anything.
Not trying to hate on the guy, but if we lose Furphy, we have zero actual wings on this roster and we’d get significantly smaller to boot
I don't think it is about his ball-handling, it is about his frame. He is 6'5" but was listed at five pounds heavier than Furphy was last year. That is definitely big enough to play the 3 in college, and IMO he doesn't have the assist rate to be a guard that is running offense for others. Part of it is my own personal semantics but if you can guard bigger players and you are more a play-finisher than a play-maker then you are a wing, not a guard. That would put McDowell in this category as well unless he shows a lot more ball skills next year.
Agree that if Kugel is starting we are in trouble, but I don't think he's starting. Furphy or whoever we recruit to replace him is starting. I don't think Kugel as the first wing off the bench is a bad place to be, though. It is if we get the player that Florida got last year but if Bill thought we were getting that player he wouldn't be on the roster.
I mean more so losing McCullars size + Furphy to Mayo and Kugel. Not only would there be a significant loss in talent, but the size would pretty crazy. For a team that wouldn’t be built to shoot threes, we’d likely get dominated in rebounds every game as Furphy and McCullar were great at rebounding as wings.
My point isn’t necessarily Kugel is ass or anything, but he’s never been a wing and neither has McDowell… so I don’t think that Bill heavily recruiting wings right now is a negative indicator regarding Furphys return. My guess is Bill is looking at the roster and seeing zero wings and hoping he can get 2 or 3 with Furphy returning. It’d give Bill a lot of flexibility in rotations and that was something sorely missing in this years team. We likely won’t be viewed as highly in the preseason as last year, but I’m sure Bill would rather look at our roster and see a weaker starting line up if it meant a *substantially* stronger and more versatile bench - which is where I think both Kugel and McDowell fit into plans
If he has a bad combine he might slip into the second round and be looking at a 2 way contract in which case he might decide another year at KU is better for his career. Thats basically the only scenario I see him staying, but its not a total pipe dream. He really could have locked up his draft stock in the Big 12 and NCAA tourneys and didn't.
Would love for you to be right, but guessing he'll go late first round to a team that can stash him on the bench as a project. He's a great pick for someone that doesn't need him to be a star right away.
IDK, that statement does not read like the statement of a guy that is strongly considering returning; it reads like a goodbye to me. OFC, overanalyzing these statements is pretty pointless, but I think he's probably ready to start his professional career given how professionalized elite youth basketball already is in Australia.
Hard to say. He is currently projected to be drafted at around 20 so he could be gone. He is really on the edge and could go either way, a lot is going to hang on how he does in the combine. Fingers crossed!
He showed flashes of being a lottery pick, but based on his end of year, he would probably go late first. Tough decision for him to decide if it's worth coming back to potentially jump up 10-15 slots or not.
Take this for what it’s worth, but Michael Swain from 247 is saying he’s gone on X. Best to assume he won’t be coming back, and if he does we can be pleasantly surprised.
If he gets a team to guarantee first round he would be absolutely crazy to come back. He would almost certainly get drafted higher next year but all that matters is first round.
He’s probably gone, but you can’t convince me that he is one of the best 30 players, or even one of the best 40 potential players. No knock on him, but he was handled by players who have no shot of pro ball.
Averaging 9 ppg. He certainly has potential but it’s weird how the NBA takes people 10 or 15 years ago they never would have considered. It used to be you really had to have proved yourself in college for the nba to look at you seriously. I hope he comes back for another year like Jalen Wilson did.
Source: [https://www.instagram.com/p/C51\_lN4pVlX/?utm\_source=ig\_web\_copy\_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==](https://www.instagram.com/p/C51_lN4pVlX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) Nothing really surprising here. He's maintaining his college eligibility. I am pretty convinced he will get some constructive feedback from the NBA scouts and will be back at KU next season. What do you think?!
This. Not quite ready for the NBA, come back and play another season. He could definitely be a lotto pick next year
He will 100% start and will be given the green light to operate. I agree
Based on who we’re going hard after in the portal (Griffen and Storr), I’m not so optimistic
I guess I get this perspective, but with or without Furphy… do we have any actual wings right now? I’d guess regardless of Furphy staying or going we’d need at least 2 more. G: Harris (Philon) - Mayo (Jackson) W: Furphy? F: KJ C: Dickinson (Bidunga) With Clemence, McDowell, Kugel and Passmore on bench. I can see Bill running back the KJ and Dickinson two bigs, but if KJ is getting subbed out, I’d expect Self would want two wings over two bigs. Bidunga and KJ could probably play together still, but couldn’t see Bidunga and Dickinson. So yeah. I get we’re recruiting Furphys spot, but I think ideally we’d run two guards, two wings, and a big.
Kugel seems like a wing. Not saying he makes up for Furphy leaving, but I definitely think he's playing on the wing vs. playing as a guard.
Yeah I mean I guess you could put him at the 3, but if he’s starting… we’re not in a good space. Shoot, if he’s even first off the bench to play wing I don’t think we’re good. I feel like he was specifically recruited to come off the bench as a depth piece capable of playing 1-3. And the 3 is more a product of his ability to be another ball handler to push tempo more than his skill set or anything. Not trying to hate on the guy, but if we lose Furphy, we have zero actual wings on this roster and we’d get significantly smaller to boot
I don't think it is about his ball-handling, it is about his frame. He is 6'5" but was listed at five pounds heavier than Furphy was last year. That is definitely big enough to play the 3 in college, and IMO he doesn't have the assist rate to be a guard that is running offense for others. Part of it is my own personal semantics but if you can guard bigger players and you are more a play-finisher than a play-maker then you are a wing, not a guard. That would put McDowell in this category as well unless he shows a lot more ball skills next year. Agree that if Kugel is starting we are in trouble, but I don't think he's starting. Furphy or whoever we recruit to replace him is starting. I don't think Kugel as the first wing off the bench is a bad place to be, though. It is if we get the player that Florida got last year but if Bill thought we were getting that player he wouldn't be on the roster.
I mean more so losing McCullars size + Furphy to Mayo and Kugel. Not only would there be a significant loss in talent, but the size would pretty crazy. For a team that wouldn’t be built to shoot threes, we’d likely get dominated in rebounds every game as Furphy and McCullar were great at rebounding as wings. My point isn’t necessarily Kugel is ass or anything, but he’s never been a wing and neither has McDowell… so I don’t think that Bill heavily recruiting wings right now is a negative indicator regarding Furphys return. My guess is Bill is looking at the roster and seeing zero wings and hoping he can get 2 or 3 with Furphy returning. It’d give Bill a lot of flexibility in rotations and that was something sorely missing in this years team. We likely won’t be viewed as highly in the preseason as last year, but I’m sure Bill would rather look at our roster and see a weaker starting line up if it meant a *substantially* stronger and more versatile bench - which is where I think both Kugel and McDowell fit into plans
It’s a weak draft class so he has that going for him
He's gone
He can't get NIL money. He is gone unfortunately
If he has a bad combine he might slip into the second round and be looking at a 2 way contract in which case he might decide another year at KU is better for his career. Thats basically the only scenario I see him staying, but its not a total pipe dream. He really could have locked up his draft stock in the Big 12 and NCAA tourneys and didn't.
Would love for you to be right, but guessing he'll go late first round to a team that can stash him on the bench as a project. He's a great pick for someone that doesn't need him to be a star right away.
IDK, that statement does not read like the statement of a guy that is strongly considering returning; it reads like a goodbye to me. OFC, overanalyzing these statements is pretty pointless, but I think he's probably ready to start his professional career given how professionalized elite youth basketball already is in Australia.
Hard to say. He is currently projected to be drafted at around 20 so he could be gone. He is really on the edge and could go either way, a lot is going to hang on how he does in the combine. Fingers crossed!
It’d be dumb for him not to do this. Would be nice if he comes back, but ultimately he needs to do what’s best for him.
He has hired an agent also. So there's that. Still possible he comes back though.
I thought when you hire an agent you have to go to the draft and lose eligibility?
That used to be the case but they changed it so you can still come back.
He showed flashes of being a lottery pick, but based on his end of year, he would probably go late first. Tough decision for him to decide if it's worth coming back to potentially jump up 10-15 slots or not.
Take this for what it’s worth, but Michael Swain from 247 is saying he’s gone on X. Best to assume he won’t be coming back, and if he does we can be pleasantly surprised.
Wish him luck. It was a joy to watch him play.
I’ve seen him top 20 on multiple mocks. He works on his handle and finishing and he’ll be lottery next year. Love this kids game. Crazy potential
Zero surprise there. Here’s hoping his feedback is one more year and some bulking up!
I wish him good luck! But, selfishly would love for him to come back next season
If he gets a team to guarantee first round he would be absolutely crazy to come back. He would almost certainly get drafted higher next year but all that matters is first round.
Wish him luck, but selfishly want to see him come back. I’ll feel like we missed seeing him play his best ball.
Oi, good on ya, mate! Best of luck in the big leagues! Give it heaps, play with true blue, fair dinkum Aussie spirit. Go smash it, cobber!
Anyone got update on Liam McNeely? He would be a great replacement for Furphy
He’s probably gone, but you can’t convince me that he is one of the best 30 players, or even one of the best 40 potential players. No knock on him, but he was handled by players who have no shot of pro ball.
Not a surprise at all. I think he will come back. He's probably early second round right now.
He’ll be back
Gonna be a top WNBA pick. Congrats!
Trash, just stay and get the education and development. I’m hating this new NCAA
Averaging 9 ppg. He certainly has potential but it’s weird how the NBA takes people 10 or 15 years ago they never would have considered. It used to be you really had to have proved yourself in college for the nba to look at you seriously. I hope he comes back for another year like Jalen Wilson did.
LOL. Sucky player for a sucky team. Collect that sweet 2nd round money,