Teenager Johnny Furphy set to become Australia's newest NBA superstar

Melbourne teenager Johnny Furphy is on the verge of becoming a basketball superstar.

The 19-year-old is expected to be selected in this week's NBA draft, making him an instant multi-millionaire.

Furphy attended the Maribyrnong Sports Academy, but did not feature for a Victorian team until he was 17.

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He was then selected by the Kansas Jayhawks American college team and now appears to be a first-round pick in Thursday morning's draft (AEST).

Experts predict the 206cm goalkeeper will be taken from 10 to 23, which will see him follow in the footsteps of Australians Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels, Thon Maker, Josh Green, Matisse Thybulle, Ben Simmons, Dante Exum and Andrew Bogut from beginning. draft pick.

“Yeah, it’s a bit crazy, it’s getting real now,” he told 7NEWS.

A top-10 rookie will receive a contract worth at least $6.5 million, while it will be at least $4 million if selected in the top-20.

Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze is already a big fan of the budding superstar.

“A guy who didn’t come out of nowhere, but it’s been a meteoric rise for someone who’s now looking at a first-round pick,” he told 7NEWS.

Furphy could now share a court with superstar LeBron James, arguably the greatest player in history.

“He’s been in the NBA longer than me, and to think that I’m going to go against him is pretty amazing,” Furphy said.

The youngster is one of 23 NBA prospects invited to the “green room” during Thursday's draft, meaning he will be at the Barclays Center in New York with his family, including his brother Joe, who is a rookie for Geelong in the AFL.

Furphy also plans to pay a special nod to his fellow Australian basketball players with a specially designed suit.

“I will wear a suit with all the Australian NBA players, who have played in the NBA and my name will be put forward,” he said.

Brother Joe joined Geelong as a Grade B recruit in 2023, but is yet to play a senior match.

The club has granted him permission to join his family in New York for what will be a special evening.

Johnny also played soccer growing up and believes it will help him throughout his NBA career.

“I played until I was about 16. Playing the sport definitely helped my basketball absorb contact,” he said.

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