25
Sep
Aussies in NCAA
Freshman Jacob Furphy: 'I want to prove I belong'
UConn Freshman and CoE guard Jacob Furphy drives on the Canberra Gunners during the 2025 NBL1 Men's East Conference season. Photo: Greg Francis
Highlights
Jacob Furphy says his goal at UConn is simple: prove he belongs at NCAA Division I level.
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Emerging Australian basketball star Jacob Furphy has one goal heading into his Freshman NCAA men's season at the storied University of Connecticut: "I want to prove I belong and that I can play at this level.”
“The thing I’m trying to prove at the moment is just that I belong here," the 19-year-old left handed guard said.
"I haven’t really been seen much in Australia by people in the States, so there are a lot of question marks about my game.
"I want to prove I belong and that I can play at this level.
“I’m excited to show the fans how Australians play basketball. It’s very different to America, but we play with a lot of passion and toughness. I just want to go out and show them.”
UConn is a Big East conference US college powerhouse that has won five national championships, its last in 2023 under hard-nosed coach Dan Hurley. The program has produced NBA stars such as Richard "Rip" Hamilton, Kemba Walker, Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon.
Furphy's pedigree and potential is significant. He's already made his Australian Boomers debut during the 2025 Asia Cup qualifiers in February and was a crucial piece in the Australian Emus Under-19 FIBA World Cup campaign in July. He averaged 16.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game.
Jacob Furphy Facts
- From Tasmania; prepped at NBA Global Academy in Canberra, Australia
- Participated in Basketball Without Borders Asia (2023) and Global (2024)
- Experience with Tasmanian and Australian National Teams
- Senior Boomers debut at 2025 Asia Cup qualifiers: averaged 3.3 PPG, 1.8 RPG in four wins (Thailand x2, Korea, Indonesia)
- Played at 2025 FIBA U19 World Cup:
- 16.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.4 APG, 2.1 SPG
- Led competition in minutes (34.4 MPG)
- Helped ‘Emus’ to 6th place, 4-3 record
- Represented Tasmania at U20 Nationals; led team to bronze medal
- Member of Australia U18 team at 2022 FIBA U18 Asia Cup:
- 16.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.3 APG, shot 46.4% from 3
- Helped secure gold medal
- Won 2023 Oceania Championship and 2022 U17 Basketball World Cup with the U17 Crocs
- Won 2022 U16 Asia Championship with the Australia U16 squad
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