Good Morning, Illini Nation: A little Jacob Furphy background

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Welcome to “Good Morning, Illini Nation,” your daily dose of college basketball news from Illini beat writer and AP Top 25 voter Scott Richey. He’ll offer up insights every morning on Brad Underwood’s team and college basketball at large:

Illinois hosted Australian guard Jacob Furphy this week, according to a 247Sports report. He checks a lot of boxes for Brad Underwood and the Illini.

Positional size? Check.

Shooting? Check.

International experience? Check.

Left-handed? Check.

Furphy, who is apparently not related to former Kansas wing Johnny Furphy (now with the Indiana Pacers), played last season at Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence in Australia's NBL1 East — a semi-pro league — and averaged 13 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists while knocking down 45 percent from three-point range.

Furphy has also represented Australia the past two years in multiple FIBA events. He made his international debut at the 2022 FIBA U16 Asian Championship and then played in the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup. The 6-foot-4 guard helped Australia win the 2023 FIBA U17 Oceania Championship, which got the Boomers into this year's U18 Asia Cup.

Australia crushed New Zealand 96-33 last month in Jordan to claim its second U18 Asia Cup title. Furphy had 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists in the championship game and averaged 16.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists for the duration of the tournament. He shot 54 percent overall, 46 percent from three-point range and 100 percent at the free throw line.