Photo: @DiscoveryOne_Photography

The NBL Next Stars program always has one eye turned towards the future – and that’s by design. There’s already a remarkably exciting crop of emerging talent set to grace NBL24, but General Manager of Next Stars recruitment Liam Santamaria is now eying off the next crop of local stars.

The Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence recently participated against some of the most exciting talent in world basketball at the NBA Academy Games. Perth rookie Ben Henshall starred for our local contingent across the tournament, as did a number of players who are yet to make their first moves in professional basketball.

Victorian small forward Johnny Furphy was one of the breakout players of the tournament and, under the watchful eye of a number of collegiate and worldwide scouts, starred for the CoE.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Johnny Furphy has emerged as one of the best prospects at the NBA Academy games. 6&#39;9 wing can shoot running off screens, pass off a live dribble with either hand and has some real downhill explosiveness. Recruitment has exploded with high major offers this week. <a href="https://t.co/UmyaSLRFf3">pic.twitter.com/UmyaSLRFf3</a></p>&mdash; Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) <a href="https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1677430421020192769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

According to News Corp, Furphy has received in excess of 20 offers of major colleges, including NCAA powerhouse, Duke University.

“I was very impressed with Johnny and from a Next Stars perspective, we’re tracking his progress really closely,” Santamaria told News Corp.

“That young man has been rapidly improving over recent times and he really was spectacular across the week in Atlanta.

“He was knocking down shots, playing above the rim and getting himself to the free throw line. He’s certainly someone we have an interest in continuing to evaluate.”

Read the full story >> Aussies in the NBA: Meet the next generation of Australia’s NBA Draft hopefuls ready for the big leagues