College Basketball: The World Is Dan Hurley’s Playground
UConn Strikes Gold with Furphy and Reibe
Updated Aug. 5, 2025 10:53 p.m. ET
STORRS, Conn. — Even in a state like Connecticut, where college basketball is a year-round obsession, the morning of June 28 started off like any other. It was just another scorching summer Saturday, with many weekends left before UConn would return to the court. However, that changed shortly after 11 a.m. local time, coinciding with an exciting match happening thousands of miles away. Australia faced off against the United States in the group stage of this year’s FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup, held in Lausanne, Switzerland.
At the Vaudoise Arena, the American squad featured standout players such as BYU signee AJ Dybantsa, the top recruit in the 2025 cycle; Louisville signee Mikel Brown Jr. most 3 pointers in nba, the eighth overall prospect; and Arizona signee Koa Peat, who ranks ninth. Despite their star status, it was the less-known Australian combo guard, Jacob Furphy, a product of the NBA Global Academy, who stole the spotlight. Though Australia lost by double digits, Furphy scored a game-high 24 points on 9-for-18 shooting, capturing the attention of Huskies fans from afar. His sharpshooting, crafty pick-and-roll skills, and ability to finish at the rim left UConn supporters eagerly anticipating his contributions, especially as the recruiting class included five-star shooting guard Braylon Mullins (ranked 15th) and blue-chip center Eric Reibe (ranked 28th), who played for the runner-up Germany team at the same event.
“You look out there, and there are lottery picks across the American lineup, but [Furphy] is holding his own. It was exciting to watch him compete with the best,” said UConn assistant coach Luke Murray. “We had extremely high expectations for him, and we couldn’t wait to get started.” With two future Huskies in Switzerland, and the U.S. ultimately emerging victorious, Murray and head coach Dan Hurley crossed the ocean to support their recruits. They delighted in witnessing Furphy’s breakthrough performance, where he averaged 16.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists across seven games, alongside Reibe, who recorded 15.4 points, 5. denver heat0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while significantly contributing to the German team.
Furphy and Reibe even faced off in the quarterfinals what does one check mean in viber. “I enjoyed talking a bit of trash to him,” Furphy shared, as discussions around UConn’s chances for a third national title in four seasons heated up kgc vs sk game 7 schedule.
The discovery and recruitment of a player like Furphy, who committed to the Huskies in October, illustrates the evolution Hurley embraced after his team’s disappointing loss to 12th-seeded New Mexico State in the opening round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Gradually, alongside Murray—recognized as a top offensive strategist in college basketball—Hurley began to accept that skillful offense and tactical movements were just as crucial for success at elite levels as defense and physical toughness.
“I’ve found tremendous improvement in my mental health by embracing offense,” Hurley remarked back in 2024, just months before clinching his second consecutive national title with a team ranked first in offensive efficiency.
The specific player attributes and strategic ideas that have become hallmarks of UConn’s style heavily draw from international basketball, where fluid motion and off-ball screening cultivate beautiful team play, contrasting the one-on-one focus prevalent in the NBA. This shift in approach meant it was only a matter of time before the Huskies, now entering Year 8 under Hurley, sought recruits acquainted with these systems.
Reibe, having chosen UConn over Kansas, Creighton, Indiana, and Oregon, grew up in Germany and spent part of his childhood in Switzerland before finishing high school at Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland. As a 7-footer, he boasts exceptional ball handling, with a soft touch around the basket and a jumper that extends beyond the three-point arc, making him a valuable asset for the Huskies. With ample national team experience, Reibe fills the role of primary backup for starting center Tarris Reed Jr., a previous transfer from Michigan.
“Coach Murray watches a lot of EuroLeague and integrates concepts from there with those from the U.S.,” Reibe mentioned. “It’s a blend that reveals plenty of parallels denso makati.”
Born in Tasmania, Furphy frequently traveled to the mainland as his basketball journey progressed. He later relocated to Canberra to join Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence and the NBA Global Academy, a program that has groomed talents such as Andrew Bogut and Patty Mills.
Like Reibe, Furphy has been part of his country’s international pipeline for years, even debuting with Australia’s senior team in the 2025 Asia Cup qualifiers. Recognizing the overlap between UConn’s style and his training, Furphy noted, “That was a key factor in my interest. It’s the style I enjoy playing and have been accustomed to throughout my life.”
This summer, Australia’s U19 national team structured much of their offense around Furphy during the FIBA tournament, relying on him to navigate screens and make smart decisions with the ball, despite not being the point guard. Murray praised Furphy’s ability to thrive in a high-usage role and highlighted his knack for changing speeds while cutting. Hurley expressed satisfaction with Furphy’s demeanor on the court: he was the first to join huddles, consistently communicated with teammates and coaches, and maintained high energy levels—something Hurley particularly values.
Furphy now joins a stacked guard rotation featuring returner Solo Ball and newcomers Silas Demary Jr. (Georgia transfer), Malachi Smith (Dayton), and Mullins. He is expected to play as a shooting guard or undersized small forward but can slide to point guard when needed. While his playing time as a true freshman may be limited compared to his experiences in Australia, his skills should allow for immediate contributions from the bench.
“His versatility is what we love,” Murray stated. “He’s a screener, cutter, initiator of offense, and a proficient pick-and-roll player. Historically, we haven’t leaned heavily on pick and roll, but he’ll be given more freedom to play that way.”
“He’ll need to improve defensively and adapt to the size and athleticism he’ll encounter when making passes. Getting used to how height factors into scoring and defending at the rim is crucial, but we’re incredibly excited about him.”
The fact that Furphy spent his childhood halfway around the world meant UConn was only introduced to him through a tip from an NBA Draft journalist. This prompted Murray to delve into Furphy’s footage from both the national team and the NBA Global Academy. After Murray’s glowing reports, fellow assistant Tom Moore visited Atlanta during one of Furphy’s tournament appearances last summer. Moore was as impressed as Murray hoped, propelling UConn’s pursuit of Furphy forward once they returned to campus and Hurley reviewed the latest tapes. They successfully recruited Furphy over other programs like Illinois, known for tapping into international talent effectively. Despite Furphy being ranked outside the top 130 players in the nation in the final 247Sports rankings, the Huskies have celebrated that decision ever since.
Fast forward to this summer during the FIBA tournament, and it was a pivotal moment for Furphy as he made his proper introduction to the American basketball scene. It marked the first time Hurley observed his incoming freshman play live, and it proved to be a series of remarkable performances.
“His physique might not be the most impressive, and he may not have exceptional length, elite athleticism, or staggering speed,” Murray commented. “But that’s similar to how people initially underestimated former UConn star Cam Spencer in high school or during his time at Loyola before he transferred.”
“It ultimately boils down to stylistic fit. He may not suit everyone’s preference, but he’s an ideal match for us.”
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