Kansas State's basketball program has produced several NBA players in recent years. Grady Dick and Ochai Agbaji have been lottery picks in the past two drafts, and even if the two draft picks aren't as touted, the Jayhawks could still have some success.
Super senior guard Kevin McCullough and freshman wing Johnny Furphy were the two NBA prospects on the roster. A recent mock draft by On3's James Fletcher III had both former KU standouts selected late in the first round. McCuller went 23rd overall to the Milwaukee Bucks, and Furphy went 27th overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Fletcher's mock draft has the duo very close to each other in terms of draft selections, as well as many other players. This is a recurring theme in mocks, and some drafts have seen the Jayhawks pick back-to-back. Unless they perform poorly at the NBA Draft Combine, neither should go any later than the early second round.
McCuller broke out offensively last season, leading the Big 12 in averages of 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 45.4%/33.3%/80.5% from the field. He previously spent three seasons at Texas Tech before transferring to the Jayhawks and expanding his play over two years in Lawrence.
Furphy was one of the hottest young prospects in the country in the second half of the season, averaging 11.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.5 3-pointers since joining the starting lineup in January. He is a 6-foot-9-inch long wing with a sweet shooting stroke and the perfect physical tools to become a typical 3-and-D his NBA wing.
There are many factors that could cause pro scouts to turn away from these two. McCuller missed the Big 12 and NCAA Tournament after dealing with his knee injury for more than two months, but the team will no doubt consider it. Meanwhile, Furphy was close to being a lottery pick in several mocks before a late-season slump damaged his draft stock.
The Melbourne native will almost certainly end up as a one-and-done player. He still has the option of returning to Kansas, but his recent transfer portal moves suggest the coaching staff will move on. Neither McCullough nor Furphy are expected to develop into star players, but given time, both could turn into great role players.