NBA Draft: Australian Johnny Furphy slides while Bronny James draws attention

Australian prospect Johnny Furphy expected to be drafted early in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft. Watch live on ESPN.

The anticipation is high as the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft kicks off at 6am AEST on Friday morning. All eyes are on Australian prospect Johnny Furphy, who has been ranked 18th overall by ESPN in this year's draft class. Despite his ranking, Furphy is expected to be selected early in the second round, with teams like Toronto, Utah, and Milwaukee poised to make a move for the 19-year-old.

Interestingly, Furphy was projected as a mid-to-late first-round pick, making his potential fall to the second round a surprise to many. Duke forward Kyle Filipowski also experienced a similar slide out of the first round, despite receiving an invite to the green room at the Barclays Center.

The green room invite is usually a good indicator of being selected in the first round, with only two out of 25 prospects missing out on the honor. As the draft progresses, there is also speculation about whether LeBron James' son, Bronny, will be drafted. The Lakers, who hold the 55th overall pick, are seen as a likely destination for the USC guard.

In terms of the draft order, teams like Toronto, Portland, San Antonio, and Indiana are set to make their selections in the second round. Phoenix, who had a chance to work out Bronny but ultimately selected Ryan Dunn at No.28, will also be a team to watch in the later rounds. With the draft continuing to unfold, the excitement and intrigue only continue to grow.

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