Jacob Furphy and Luke Murray both made the trip from Storrs to Boston this offseason, hoping for a bit more time in the spotlight.
Murray, regarded as one of the best assistants in the country for several seasons under Dan Hurley at UConn, accepted his first collegiate coaching job in Chestnut Hill three months ago, hoping to lift Boston College out of the ACC basement. The 41-year-old coach took one member of the UConn roster with him to join the Eagles, as Australian native Furphy eyes more court time after playing just 35 total minutes last season.
CBS college basketball insider Jon Rothstein attended Boston College practice Wednesday morning, reporting that Furphy has started to live up to his four-star potential. Rothstein reported that Furphy has lost noticeable weight from last season and could make an impact in Murray’s first year.
“UConn transfer Jacob Furphy has gotten himself into incredible shape,” Rothstein wrote about Furphy on X. “Down about 15 pounds. Should have an immediate impact for BC.”
Rothstein also included Furphy in his projected Boston College starting lineup.
Furphy, who was a top 100 overall recruit and the top prospect coming out of Australia, committed to UConn in October 2024 over Illinois, a famed destination for international talent. The 6-foot-6 wing was billed as a high-IQ prospect and a standout shooter, with an overall offensive skill set that was ahead of his defensive game.
Committing a few days after McDonald’s All-American Braylon Mullins, Furphy was never able to meaningfully challenge the five-star freshman or any of UConn’s more established wings for playing time, earning a season-high seven minutes against Bryant and logging just 19 total minutes in Big East Conference play.
Furphy entered his name into the transfer portal on April 15, one of five Huskies looking for a new home in college basketball this offseason. It took less than two weeks for Furphy to land on a familiar face, joining Murphy at the Conte Forum.
“Great coaches, they play in a good conference and level for me, and I think there is going to be a great opportunity for me to help a team rebuild and have a good year,” Furphy told basketball.com.au. in April. “To start with it was a really difficult decision, I had an amazing year with a great group of guys and coaches (at UConn), but I ended up deciding to transfer because I want an opportunity to play, and I just didn’t think I could get that at UConn.”