Johnny Furphy. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Viral sensation Johnny Furphy is poised to become the next Australian to take the NBA by storm with a growing highlights reel that has already led to him being dubbed the “best white dunker” the league has seen in years.
Furphy joins established stars Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels in another strong contingent of Australian products in NBA ranks for the 2025/26 season, which starts on Wednesday (AEDT).
And the 20-year-old Indiana Pacers forward is quickly adding to a stunning collection of posters that has already propelled him to global popularity since his rookie year.
Furphy sent fans into a pre-season frenzy when he monstered the Oklahoma City defence with a drive to the basket and powerful finish over the top of Malevy Leons earlier this month.
It was one of the biggest slams of 2025, leading former NBA star Patrick Beverley to call for Furphy’s inclusion in the league’s dunk contest on All-Star weekend this season.
“Best white dunker we’ve seen in some years,” Beverley posted on social media.
The spectacular pre-season dunk followed a similar poster in the Summer League against Chicago, which drew high praise from Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton and fellow teammate Bennedict Mathurin, who declared, “Oh he ready now.”
Further highlights are all but guaranteed as Furphy – who was taken No.35 overall in the 2024 NBA draft – continues to build confidence at the highest level.
The Melbourne native averaged 2.1 points and 1.4 rebounds in 7.6 minutes across 50 appearances last season, and featured 11 times in the playoffs as the Pacers lost the best-of-seven NBA Finals series to Oklahoma City.
He has since put together a strong off-season and added noticeable size to his 201cm frame, looming as one of the main Australians to watch alongside Chicago Bulls playmaker Giddey and Atlanta Hawks defensive guru Daniels.
Giddey is on a new four-year deal worth $38 million per season as a central figure in the Bulls’ offence, while Daniels is poised to reach a new level after claiming the league’s Most Improved Player award last season.
The 22-year-old was dubbed the ‘Great Barrier Thief’ on his way to snatching 229 steals last season – the most by any player in a single campaign for three decades.
Rookie centre Rocco Zikarsky teams up with Boomers veteran Joe Ingles with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Dante Exum could feature heavily in the Dallas Mavericks’ title bid if he stays fit.
Josh Giddey Chicago Bulls
Josh Giddey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Jock Landale should get more opportunity as a back-up centre with the Memphis Grizzlies, draftee Tyrese Proctor is turning heads in Cleveland alongside Luke Travers, and Matisse Thybulle is ready to build off his strong finish to last season after returning from injury.
But the playing futures of revered guard Patty Mills and injured-plagued Ben Simmons are in limbo, with the veteran pair still unsigned ahead of the new season.
The 2025/26 NBA season starts when Houston host Oklahoma City and Golden State take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday (AEDT).
Aussies in the NBA
* Dyson Daniels – Atlanta Hawks
The league’s Most Improved Player last season snatched 229 steals – the highest individual tally in 30 years – to earn himself the Aussie-themed nickname Great Barrier Thief. The 22-year-old will look to cement his status in the league before likely being joined on the big stage by younger brother Dash Daniels – an NBL Next Star with Melbourne United – next season.
* Dante Exum – Dallas Mavericks
Exum has averaged career-highs in points (8.0), assists (2.8), and rebounds (2.4) across his two seasons with the Mavericks, but has also been hampered by various injuries. In an ideal world, the 30-year-old guard stays healthy to play a big role in the Mavs’ title chances alongside No.1 draft pick Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, and justifies the team’s faith in keeping him on a one-year deal.
* Johnny Furphy – Indiana Pacers
This is Furphy’s time to shine. The human highlights reel has gone viral in the build-up to his second NBA campaign with a series over brutal dunks and appears poised for a breakout season, after struggling for regular court-time in his rookie year. The 20-year-old averaged 2.1 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.4 assists in 50 games last season and featured 11 times in the playoffs.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 10: Josh Green #10 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on in the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 10, 2025 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Charlotte Hornets 97-89. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Josh Green. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
* Josh Green – Charlotte Hornets
Hornets forward Green underwent surgery in June to address instability in his left shoulder. The 24-year-old has been progressing in his rehab but there is still no firm timeline on his return to the court.
* Josh Giddey – Chicago Bulls
Giddey is poised to take his game to a whole new level after ending an extended stand-off with the Bulls in the off-season, signing a monster $US100 million, four-year contract. It puts the 23-year-old at the heart of the Bulls’ starting unit for the foreseeable future, after he averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists last season.
* Joe Ingles – Minnesota Timberwolves
The 38-year-old veteran hardly played last season and is again unlikely to see much court time this time around, but his presence in the Wolves’ locker room is invaluable. At peace with his role after signing a veteran minimum deal worth $5.4 million, Ingles will also serve as a sounding board for rookie Australian centre Rocco Zikarsky.
* Jock Landale – Memphis Grizzlies
Landale is set for more minutes as a back-up centre in his first season with the Grizzlies, having seen limited opportunities in his two seasons with Houston. The 29-year-old averaged 4.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 42 games for the Rockets.
* Lachlan Olbrich – Chicago Bulls
The 21-year-old centre enters his first season after being selected with the 55th pick in the 2025 NBA draft. An Adelaide native, Olbrich made his Australian Boomers debut in 2024 and helped the Illawarra Hawks win the NBL championship last season, averaging 8.4 points and 3.8 rebounds in 37 appearances.
* Tyrese Proctor – Cleveland Cavaliers
The 21-year-old guard is already turning heads in Cleveland after being selected with the 49th overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft out of Duke University. Born and raised in Sydney, Proctor played soccer, cricket and baseball growing up, but found his calling in basketball and has showed maturity beyond his years since joining the Cavs, after putting together a strong Summer League campaign. Signed a four-year, $13.2 million deal and will get minutes as a back-up point-guard.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 30: Joe Ingles #7 of the Minnesota Timberwolves speaks to Patty Mills #8 of the Utah Jazz during the second half of a game at Delta Center on January 30, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Joe Ingles speaks to Patty Mills. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
* Duop Reath – Portland Trail Blazers
Reath enters his third NBA campaign hoping for more minutes after averaging 4.2 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 46 limited appearances last season.
* Matisse Thybulle – Portland Trail Blazers
The 28-year-old showed glimpses of his potential late last season on return from injury – averaging 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 15 appearances – and re-signed with the Blazers in the off-season. He has been hampered by a knee injury in pre-season but should be fit to start the regular season.
* Luke Travers – Cleveland Cavaliers
Travers averaged close to a triple-double in 16 G League games last season – 15.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 7.4 assists – and re-signed with the Cavs on a two-way deal. It’s now time for the versatile 24-year-old forward to step up and show he fits at the top level.
* Alex Toohey – Golden State Warriors
The 21-year-old former NBL Next Star was the 52nd overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft by Phoenix, who traded his rights to the Warriors in the league’s first-ever seven-team trade in July. Toohey, who claimed the NBL Next Generation Award after a stellar 2024/25 season with the Sydney Kings, has signed a two-way deal with Golden State and is expected to feature for the G League’s Santa Cruz Warriors.
* Rocco Zikarsky – Minnesota Timberwolves
The 221cm giant is finding his feet at this level as he prepares for his first NBA season. He will likely split his time between the Timberwolves and their G-League affiliate Iowa Wolves, after signing a two-way deal. The former Brisbane Bullets centre was the 45th overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft by Chicago, who immediately traded his rights to Minnesota.
DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 13: Dante Exum #0 of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 11, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
Dante Exum. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
KEEP AN EYE ON:
* Taran Armstrong – Golden State Warriors
A surprise move overseas to sign with Dubai Basketball could keep the 196cm point-guard’s NBA dream alive, with the Warriors retaining Armstrong’s rights on a two-way deal. The 23-year-old was the first Tasmanian to sign in the NBA in February and made his G-League debut for the Santa Cruz Warriors in March.
* Patty Mills – unsigned
The 36-year-old Boomers leader and five-time Olympian last featured with the Los Angeles Clippers but his playing future is in limbo. Mills has accepted a role as the University of Hawaii men’s basketball general manager and has joined the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Advisory Board.
* Ben Simmons – unsigned
Injury-plagued Simmons reportedly received and rejected a one-year minimum contract offer from the New York Knicks and remains unsigned. NBL owner Larry Kestelman has urged Simmons to “reignite your passion” for basketball in the Australian league, though the prospect of the 29-year-old playing Down Under appears slim.