Australian standouts from the NBA Academy Games 2024

Ground level insights on our rising Aussie men talent - here's what we saw at Atlanta this year.

Credit: NBA

We’re now seeing Johnny Furphy get off to a strong start in Summer League this year, but approximately this time last year, Furphy was a relative unknown, with one Division 1 college offer to his name and the prospect of a re-class on the cards. Then, he played in the NBA Academy Games.

Furphy is not the first, nor last, Australian whose recruitment has broken out at the NBA Academy Games. Whilst a good performance at the event is a culmination of years of development and good form, the event’s unique platform for exposure provides a potential catalyst point for careers to change overnight.

This year, I had the privilege of flying out to Atlanta and attending in person, and whilst the event is closed to the public, the stands are packed with a colourful sea of polos adorned by every imaginable schools logo from across the country. Teams in attendance have a clear willingness to recruit internationally, as they watch a truly global array of teams, and the melting pot of different athletes and play styles, from the overwhelming length and athleticism of NBA Academy Africa, to the Spurs-like structure and precision of NBA Global, provides variety in competition and a well-rounded environment for assessment.

Australian athletes were representing both the NBA Global Academy and NBA Select teams this year, with some coming off the back of the Under 17 World Cup in Istanbul. Those teams both stood head and shoulders above the competition this year, with the pair facing off in the final. It was a reflection of a slightly diminished talent level from previous years, but in the case of NBA Global, also a reflection of the level of coaching and development provided by their coach, Marty Clarke - a sentiment unanimously echoed by evaluators in attendance.

As much as the teams found collective success, multiple players also benefited on a personal level with their recruitment, boosting their stock in front of countless schools. Here are some of the players that helped themselves the most.