You remember where you were when Johnny Furphy basically ended a man’s career in Las Vegas? Okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic. But honestly, if you were watching the Indiana Pacers take on the Chicago Bulls during the 2025 NBA Summer League, you saw something that shouldn't have been physically possible for a 6-foot-9 kid who looks like he’s still waiting for his learner’s permit.
It was late in the second quarter. Furphy caught the ball in transition, pulled a slick behind-the-back move that had the defender stumbling, and then—boom. He climbed the ladder. He didn't just dunk it; he detonated on Noa Essengue. The photo that came out of it? Absolute art. Essengue is braced for impact, and Furphy is just floating, mid-air, looking like he’s about to punch the ball through the floor.
People lost their minds. SportsCenter hosts were laughing because they couldn't even describe it. One tweet said he "ruined the man’s life." It was the kind of moment that turns a second-round pick into a household name overnight.
What Actually Happened with the Johnny Furphy Poster Dunk
Let’s be real—Summer League highlights usually die by August. But the johnny furphy poster dunk had staying power because it defied the "scouting report" on him. Coming out of Kansas, everyone knew Furphy could shoot. They knew he had "sneaky" athleticism. But "sneaky" usually means you can jump high enough to touch the rim if nobody is looking. It doesn't usually mean you're going to put a 6-foot-10 forward on a t-shirt.
Furphy later admitted he didn't even plan it. "I don't normally jump off two feet," he told reporters after the game. It was just raw instinct. He saw an opening, he was feeling aggressive, and he just went for it.
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The mechanics were wild. Most guys who dunk that hard need a head of steam. Furphy did it after a behind-the-back dribble and a crossover. It wasn't just power; it was coordination. For a Pacers team that was dealing with the loss of Myles Turner to Milwaukee and Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury at the time, that dunk felt like a shot of pure adrenaline.
Is It the Best Aussie Dunk Ever?
There’s a legitimate debate happening in basketball circles in Melbourne and Sydney about this. Is this the greatest dunk by an Australian in NBA history?
You’ve got Ben Simmons’ power finishes. You’ve got some old-school Luc Longley stuff (maybe not). But in terms of pure disrespect and "wow" factor, Furphy’s hammer on Essengue is right at the top. It even gave fellow Aussie Lachlan Olbrich a front-row seat on the Bulls' bench. Imagine seeing your countryman do that to your teammate. Awkward.
It Wasn’t Just a One-Off
Some people thought he was a one-hit wonder, but Furphy kept that same energy into the 2025-26 preseason. He did it again against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He caught the ball, dropped his shoulder, and "punched" it. That’s the word the announcers kept using: a "punch."
Quinn Buckner, the Pacers' legendary commentator, literally sounded like his brain rebooted on air. He was making noises that weren't even words. The NBA actually used some new AI tech to "score" the dunk based on jump height and power, which some fans hated (it felt a bit like trying to put a number on a sunset), but it proved one thing: Furphy is elite in the air.
- Height: 6'9"
- Wingspan: Roughly 6'8" (which makes the dunk more impressive because he's not a "long" athlete)
- Verticality: He’s been clocked with a 32-inch standing vert, but it looks way higher when a defender is in the way.
Why the Hype is Different This Time
The Pacers took Furphy with the 35th pick in 2024. Usually, 35th picks are fighting for their lives just to stay on a roster. They're "G League lifers" or "rotation filler." But Furphy has this weird combination of a high basketball IQ and a mean streak.
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He spent a lot of his rookie year with the Indiana Mad Ants, putting up solid numbers like 14.3 points and nearly 10 rebounds a game. But those numbers don't tell the story. The story is the confidence. When you see a guy who was a "one-and-done" at Kansas suddenly playing with the aggression of a 10-year vet, you pay attention.
He’s had some setbacks, sure. A left ankle sprain against the Bucks in November 2025 slowed him down. But every time he steps on the court, people are waiting for the next johnny furphy poster dunk. He’s become a "league pass" player—the kind of guy you keep a window open for just in case he does something ridiculous.
The Reality Check
Look, we have to be honest. A poster dunk doesn't win a championship. Furphy still has to work on his defensive rotations and his consistency from the three-point line. In his rookie year, he only shot about 38% from the field. That has to go up.
But you can’t teach the "it" factor. You can’t teach a guy to not be afraid of getting blocked. Most rookies would have settled for a layup or a floater. Furphy decided to try and break the backboard. That mentality is why the Pacers are so high on him. They see a guy who isn't just happy to be in the NBA; he wants to dominate his minutes.
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What to Watch for Next
If you’re following Furphy’s career, keep an eye on his "downhill" attacking. He’s starting to use that threat of a dunk to open up his passing game. If defenders have to jump with him to contest the slam, he’s shown he can shovel the ball off to guys like Quenton Jackson or Jarace Walker for easy buckets.
The johnny furphy poster dunk was a moment, but for the Pacers, it’s a blueprint. It’s about being fearless, being athletic, and—most importantly—making the other team wish they weren't in the highlight.
Next Steps for Pacers Fans and Highlight Seekers
To really get the most out of watching Furphy's development, you should:
- Watch the raw footage: Don't just look at the still photo. Watch the behind-the-back move in the Summer League clip against the Bulls. The footwork is actually more impressive than the jump.
- Track his G League minutes: He still gets sent down occasionally to keep his rhythm. His rebounding numbers (averaging nearly a double-double) show he’s doing more than just waiting for highlights.
- Monitor his ankle health: That November sprain was nasty. See if he’s still exploding off that left foot with the same power.
- Ignore the "Dunk Score" tech: Trust your eyes. If Quinn Buckner is screaming, it was a good dunk. You don't need a computer to tell you that.