BREAKING: Kansas Jayhawks basketball two Key-players receive invites to 2024 NBA Draft
The Kansas basketball program has been represented by at least two former Jayhawks in four of the past seven NBA drafts. This trend is likely to continue in the upcoming 2024 draft. Two standout players from KU, Kevin McCullar and Johnny Furphy, are anticipated to be selected on June 27.
Both players have been assessed with mid-to-late first-round grades by most professional scouts. They have been included in the extensive list of college and international athletes invited to the NBA Draft Combine, and both McCullar and Furphy will attend and take part in the event later this month.
The NBA announced today that 78 players have been invited to the 2024 NBA Draft Combine, which will take place from May 12-19 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.
Additionally, a select number of standout players from the 2024 NBA G League Elite Camp, which… pic.twitter.com/M8FUY529ul
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 3, 2024
Two former Kansas basketball standouts invited to draft combine
The Kansas basketball program has a strong track record of placing its players in the NBA. This year, two standout players, Kevin McCullar and Johnny Furphy, have been invited to the NBA Draft Combine. The combine, which takes place from May 5-12, provides an opportunity for scouts to assess players through scrimmages, athletic tests, drills, and other evaluations. This event can significantly impact a player’s draft stock, either positively or negatively.
McCullar, who had a breakout season with 18.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, was an All-Big 12 First Team selection and an All-America mention. Despite missing the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments due to a knee injury, he still participated in the combine last year before deciding to return to Kansas.
This year, he is expected to be drafted, but his eligibility has been exhausted after using an additional COVID-19 year. Furphy, an Australian native who joined the Jayhawks late in the summer, had a solid freshman season with 9.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. He was recognized as a member of the All-Big 12 Freshman Team. Although his draft stock has dropped slightly due to defensive concerns, he is still projected to be selected in the first round. Furphy has the option to return to school, but it is likely he will keep his name in the draft pool.
Kansas has a history of developing players for the NBA, particularly wings and forwards under the guidance of head coach Bill Self. This year, McCullar and Furphy could become the first pair of Jayhawks to be selected in the first round since Ochai Agbaji and Christian Braun in 2022
