Johnny Furphy, Kevin McCullar, Payton Sandfort, Emanuel Miller
Brian breaks down the top prospects from the University of Kansas, University of Iowa and Texas Christian University.
And we are back to college basketball! Hopefully you enjoyed the NCAA tournament! Today we will start breaking down some of the teams that made the tournament and a team that played in the NIT. So let's get into it.
Johnny Furphy/Kansas
(Kansas Athletics photo)
Johnny Furphy is an Australian born wing that started at the NBA Academy. After that he decided to go Kansas where he started out coming off the bench. Then midway through the season, Bill Self decided to bench their 5 Star Recruit, Elmarko Jackson, to put Furphy in the lineup and Kansas improved dramatically. Furphy has a real ability to shoot the basketball. He’s still raw in some areas but there’s a lot to look at.
Personal Opinion
I was a fan at the start of the season. He seemed like someone who was going to play in the NBA at some point. I had him penciled in as a lottery pick for the 2025 NBA Draft. Then he started. And now I think he’s a legitimate guy for the 2024 NBA Draft. I still have him as a lottery pick despite the fact he struggled down the stretch at times. I think it’s just simple that he’s good.
Fantasy
He’s not the best fantasy player. He’s got an ability to shoot and he doesn’t turn the ball over at all. He’s average at a lot of things but below average at assists. One of the things that’s important to note about that is that he has been used as a play finisher. I expect him to play a role similar to that in the NBA. I expect that he has a top 70 season at some point. He’s pretty similar to Cam Johnson.
If Johnny fails in the league, Why?
The shot could struggle to translate which could make him very hard to play given how raw he is. He also could struggle to develop and not improve defensively which could really limit his playing time. He also could struggle to develop physically. Given his current skill set, it's tough to see him flaming out but he could fall out of the league if he shoots it.
So Furphy is in some good company here. He’s the only freshman on this list, and about half of these guys have had some level of NBA interest. There could be a bit more to his game than what these guys had, but I think at worst, he’s going to be one of those off ball players that ends up making a lot of money due to his shooting.
Big Performance Highlights
23 Pts, 11 Reb, 2 Stl, 2 To, 7-8 FG, 3-4 3PT, 6-9 FT
This was Furphy’s best game of the season by far. He was on fire against Cincinnati and he was instrumental in Kansas winning this game by 5. Getting 11 rebounds is also very good in this instance.
17 Pts, 8 Reb, 2 Ast, 6-7 FG, 3-4 3PT, 2-4 FT
This was Furphy’s best game against a team that was in the tournament and Houston was a #1 seed, so they were good. Furphy had another efficient game here and made his impact despite just being an off ball guy.
Kevin McCullar/Kansas
[Chance Parker photo]
We now go to the direct opposite of Johnny Furphy. Kevin McCullar has been in draft conversations for years. McCullar is a 5th year senior at Kansas. He started out playing alongside TJ Shannon (another older prospect) at Texas Tech. After 3 seasons there, he transferred to Kansas. He’s been running the show there and he’s been doing an alright job. He’s had injury issues throughout his collegiate career, but he’s been one of the best players in the country without a doubt.
Personal Opinion
I say this with the utmost respect for McCullar. I don’t see it in the NBA. The consensus has had him in the first round all season. Even in the lottery at times. I couldn’t buy it at all. The main reason why is because he’s 23 and he hasn’t shown that he can shoot it efficiently through 5 seasons. The jumpshot needs work and I don’t know if it's going to improve a lot. I also tend to be a lot harder on these types of players that are 5th year seniors or 23+. I get why some people are excited but because he had a hot stretch from the arch to start the year, he got put in that midfirst conversation, and then slowly and quietly he fell back to earth and I don’t think the consensus has reacted enough with it. Part of it is the nature of this class, and there is a level of surety with him, but we’ll see.
Fantasy
I think the passing is real and he should be able to get some good assist numbers. The problem is that he’ll need to run at higher usage to get a higher number of assists. The rebounds are good, no huge red flags, just depending on the shot. If the shot falls, the McCullar could have some appeal. I think the upside caps out at top 100 if he does hit, but that has some value in some leagues.
If Kevin fails in the league, Why?
The shot never comes around and he’s a negative on offense. The injuries could continue to nag him and he just isn’t available as much. He’s also an older player, so there’s a real chance that he just isn’t talented enough to be a consistent guy in the NBA.
There are some interesting names here but nothing that really stands out besides RJ Barrett who is an anomaly here on this list. Cody Martin and DeAndre’ Bembry are other names that are similar. PJ Dozier even got some run in the league.
Big Performance Highlights
12 Pts, 10 Reb, 10 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 Blk, 1 To, 3-11 FG, 0-3 3PT, 4-4 FT
This was one of two triple doubles for the season for McCullar, but the only one against a high major team. The shot wasn’t falling in this one but he did a lot in this 5 point win.
34 Pts, 6 Reb, 4 Ast, 2 Stl, 1 Blk, 1 To, 11-18 FG, 4-7 3PT, 8-8 FT
McCullar was on fire in this game, hitting a bunch of his shots and was a big factor in the win. Even though Kansas won by 15, if McCullar had had an average game, it would have been a lot closer.
Payton Sandfort/Iowa
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Payton Sandfort is a wing playing at the University of Iowa, who was one of the most underrated college basketball players this season. After primarily coming off the bench in his first two seasons, Sandfort has been a starter this season and has been Iowa’s best player. His game is expected to translate very well into the NBA.
Personal Opinion
I really like Payton Sandfort and I think he’s actually got a lot of potential as an NBA player. He’s gotten better every year and what he does well is at an elite level. These specialists are the types of players that tend to really make it as role players. Yes the defense isn’t good but a good coach could really use him in a dangerous way
Fantasy
The appeal with Sandfort is the 3PT shooting and efficiency. He’ll likely be able to score quite a bit despite not having a high usage. He also does a lot at a decent level and won’t kill you in some areas. I think he could have a top 100 season if he were to start and hit, but he isn’t the most appealing fantasy player.
If Payton fails in the league, Why?
The defense becomes so bad that he gets played off the court. The shooting efficiency could decrease with higher level defenders. He has had problems with some consistency at times so that could also impact him.
An obvious comparison is Joe Wieskamp because of the Iowa connection but they are relatively different. Wieskamp was able to shoot better due to the focus on Luka Garza. Sandfort is the main guy and gets a big focus of the defense. If Sandfort can improve the defense, he could be similar to what Nesmith is.
Big Performance Highlights
26 Pts, 10 Reb, 10 Ast, 1 Stl, 3 Blk, 3 To, 3-11 FG, 2-7 3PT, 18-19 FT
Quite possibly one of the biggest, “What on Earth??” statlines you will ever see. Payton Sandfort had 112 FT attempts all season. 17% of the FTA this season for Sandfort, came in this game. He had 26 points, despite not hitting many FG’s and a cherry on top, it’s a triple double. A game he will never forget.
30 Pts, 12 Reb, 2 To, 9-14 FG, 7-11 3PT, 5-6 FT
This was in the first round of the NIT and Sandfort went off in this game. He was hot from 3 and carried Iowa in this 9 point win. A concern from a fantasy perspective is, ignore the rebounds and points, there’s nothing. He will have games like this.
Emanuel Miller/TCU
(TCU Athletics)
Emanuel Miller has been on the draft radar for a little bit of time as well. He started out at Texas A&M and then in his junior season, transferred to TCU where he finished his collegiate career. He’s a wing that does a lot of the small things, but the concern is the shot. He was a G League Elite camp participant last season.
Personal Opinion
Like I explained earlier with McCullar, I do not like these older, 5th year senior players. Emanuel Miller has not shown he can shoot it on a consistent basis. Sure, maybe he’s a shot away from being a rotation player, but he’s going to be 24. There’s always a chance for improvement, but there’s a very real chance that he is who he is.
Fantasy
He is not going to be a very interesting fantasy player. He’s a low usage guy that doesn’t shoot it very well. He’s a good rebounder for a wing but that’s the only real thing that stands out from an elite level.
If Emanuel fails in the league, Why?
The shot never comes around and he becomes a negative on offense. The defense also struggles so he doesn’t contribute in a positive way, which could make him fall out of the league. Also given his age, it's worth questioning if he’s talented enough to play in the league.
Now Miller is not Jimmy Butler. But there are some interesting players here. Anthony Gill and Perry Ellis are similar in a way. Also Jermaine Samuels.
Big Performance Highlights
18 Pts, 6 Reb, 6 Ast, 3 Stl, 1 To, 5-8 FG, 2-4 3PT, 6-6 FT
Emanuel had an impact on this game that showed out in the peripheral stats in this one. TCU won this game by 18 and Miller was a big reason why. Emanuel didn’t try to force it in this one either, which makes the line more impressive.
26 Pts, 8 Reb, 3 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 Blk, 2 To, 9-13 FG, 1-2 3PT, 7-9 FT
This game was in the Big 12 tournament and TCU ended up winning this game by 7 points. Emanuel Miller was hitting shots and impacting the game on both ends of the floor.
Final Thoughts
Johnny Furphy is a low usage forward that is known for his ability to shoot the basketball. He has good size, and has shown an ability to impact the game without the ball. He is still pretty raw but there’s a lot of potential there. I currently have Johnny Furphy at #9 on my big board. In the recent Dizzle Dynasty Mock, Johnny Furphy went 13th to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Kevin McCullar is an older forward that has shown that he can be a good defender and handle the ball if necessary. He has dealt with injury issues throughout his career and is an older player, but the talent is there. I have Kevin McCullar at #45 on my board right now. In the recent Dizzle Dynasty Mock, Kevin McCullar went 20th to the New York Knicks.
Payton Sandfort is an electric shooter that plays at Iowa. He’s gotten better every single season and his game is very likely to translate to the next level. The defense is a concern that will need to improve. I currently have Payton Sandfort at #20 on my big board. In the recent Dizzle Dynasty Mock, Payton Sandfort went 49th to the Orlando Magic.
Emanuel Miller is a toolsy forward that has shot it well this season. He is older for a prospect, but he does a lot of the dirty work and can be effective without the ball. He has fans and will be given a chance. I currently have Emanuel Miller in my top 100 on my board. In the recent Dizzle Dynasty Mock, Emanuel Miller went undrafted.