Former University of Kansas men’s basketball wing Johnny Furphy of the Indiana Pacers hit three 3-pointers and scored 12 points in his NBA Summer League debut — a 97-95 overtime loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas.
Furphy, a 6-foot-9 native of Melbourne, Australia, started and played 24 minutes. He hit 4 of 11 shots and was 3-of-8 from 3. He also was 1-of-2 from the free throw line.
Furphy grabbed four rebounds and had a steal with no assists and one turnover.
It was former KU wing Jalen Wilson whose big game prevented Furphy from winning in his debut.
Wilson, a 6-6 second-year pro, scored 25 points on 8-of-17 shooting for the Nets in 31 minutes. Wilson connected on five 3s in nine attempts. He also was 4-of-4 from the line, with seven rebounds, two assists and three turnovers.
Wilson’s 25-foot 3-point basket with 15 seconds to play erased an 89-86 deficit. He also hit a huge 3 with 1:30 left to slice an 87-79 deficit to five points. It was 89-89 after four quarters.
The new overtime rules meant the target score was 96 points, and the Nets reached it first to claim the win. Wilson hit two free throws to bust a 93-93 tie. Keon Johnson’s 12-footer broke a 95-95 tie and gave the Nets the target score.
Furphy was the 35th overall selection in the draft. Indiana acquired Furphy from the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Juan Nunez, the 36th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and cash considerations.
Wilson, a native of Denton, Texas, in 2023 was the 51st overall pick in the draft. He’s playing his second season of summer league with the Nets.