Aussie rookie on cusp of winning NBA’s biggest prize

Just two years ago, Melbourne’s Johnny Furphy was finishing high school in Australia and dreaming of becoming a professional basketball player – today he’s three games away from winning an NBA championship.

Furphy, just out of his teens at 20, has had a fairytale rookie* year with the Indiana Pacers as the team vies to win its first championship.

“It’s a very exciting time,” Furphy said in an exclusive interview.

“It’s unreal. I don’t really understand yet how significant this is, especially happening in my rookie year, but I’m just trying to enjoy this as much as possible.”

After winning the NBA’s Eastern Conference*, the Pacers are now locked in a best of seven battle with the Oklahoma City Thunder for basketball’s biggest prize.

The Pacers defeated the New York Knicks to take out the Eastern Conference title in an epic showdown that saw Hollywood stars like Ben Stiller, Miles Teller and Timothee Chalamet flock to a packed Madison Square Garden each night.

“Especially being on the sideline watching it all unfold, it doesn’t really feel real sometimes that we’re just playing basketball and everyone’s there watching,” Furphy said of the star-studded Knicks games.

“It’s pretty cool, just the whole energy around it is really special.”

Furphy’s parents, siblings and friends have travelled from Australia to the United States to cheer him on in the remaining games of the season against Oklahoma.

The Pacers bested Oklahoma by just one point to win the first game of the finals series but lost game two – both teams now need three more wins to secure the championship.

It’s a dream that Furphy never could have imagined coming true.

“Absolutely not. I never would have thought I would have been here. Even two years ago I was still in high school, so this is just unreal,” he said.

The former Maribyrnong Sports College student was drafted by the Pacers in June last year.

Looking back on his whirlwind* year, Furphy said it was hard to choose his favourite highlight but his NBA debut was a “pinch me” moment.

“But honestly, it’s been such an incredible year for me, just learning so much,” he said.

“I think the first year being professional, it’s been so much to learn from and definitely exciting to see where my teammates are and how they operate, and where I can be in the next year coming.”

Furphy is one of about a dozen Australians playing in the world’s most famous basketball league and said it was nice to come across other Aussies on the court.

“You know every few games you’re up against another Australian, so that’s been cool,’ he said. “It’s like a little community.”

After the finals, the rookie will go on to play in the NBA’s Summer League series but hopes to manage a trip back to Australia, where he’s looking forward to spending time with family, friends and his dogs.

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GLOSSARY

rookie: an athlete playing professionally for their first year and more broadly anyone new to a job who doesn’t have a lot of experience

Eastern Conference: teams from the eastern side of the US, which together with the Western Conference make up the NBA; the top team of each plays the other in the NBA finals series

whirlwind: a term used to describe a sudden situation that is changing very quickly

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QUICK QUIZ

Which NBA team is Johnny Furphy playing for in his rookie year?

Which team did they defeat to claim the Eastern Conference?

Which team are they currently battling for the championship?

How many games must one team win in order to take the title?

Just two years ago, Furphy was a student at which Victorian school?

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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

1. Become a commentator

If you’ve ever listened to NBA commentary (or any sport, for that matter), you’ll know that commentators need to be entertaining, and sometimes a little “over the top”. Step into the commentator’s shoes by writing, performing, and recording an introduction for Johnny Furphy as he takes to the court in the next championship game. Make sure you bring the enthusiasm and energy of a real NBA commentator!

Time: allow 15 minutes to complete this activity

Curriculum Links: English

2. Extension

Continue in your commentator role as you call a dramatic, imagined final minute of the game with Johnny Furphy playing a pivotal part in the Pacers’ success.

Time: allow 15 minutes to complete this activity

Curriculum Links: English

VCOP ACTIVITY

Walking in his shoes

Johnny Furphy must have training tirelessly for years to get drafted to the NBA. Imagine how he must feel as his dreams of competing in the NBA championship series come true. It’s time to walk in his shoes and imagine what he must be thinking and feeling. Write a descriptive piece recounting your experiences. You may like to include: training back in high school; being selected for the Indiana Pacers; being New York playing in front of Hollywood stars; life in the team and the moments before, during and after the championship decider.