MELBOURNE (Australia) - Australia will not have to wait long to see where they stand at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025, drawn into a massively competitive Group C. But star forward Jacob Furphy wouldn't have it any other way as he hopes to bring the country back to the podium for the first time in 22 years.
The 2003 champions have been drawn into what many see as the "Group of Death" along with eight-time winners USA, France - who have reached the podium the last three U19 World Cups - and first-timers Cameroon.
"I love that we were drawn into the group. To be the best you have to beat the best. We're going to have to do that with some tough competition straight away. It's gonna be super hard, super hard. You will want to finish as high as you can to get the best crossover possible. But it's gonna be a great challenge for us," said Furphy.
And the Emus have a major test right out of the gates too against USA on the opening day June 28.
"It will be huge to play against the top competition of the USA. Most of their team, if not all of their team will be in high major (college) programs next year. It will be a huge challenge first up. It's gonna be unreal."
Even though they will be playing in their 15th U19 World Cup of 17 total editions, the Australians have not reached the Quarter-Finals since 2015 and not won a Semi-Final game since taking their sole title in 2003.
"I wouldn't say that is upsetting but it's not where we think we should be. This group that we will have will be looking to take us back to that Quarter-Final, Semi-Final and hopefully the gold medal match. The 2003 team that won the gold leaves us with huge aspirations and we think we can get it done," Furphy said.
The Smithton, Tasmania native is one of four players in the preliminary roster who have already made their debuts with the senior national team along with Emmett Adair, Luke Fennell and Rocco Zikarsky.
"We have seen the pros of our game and how they handle it and how they come together in a big group and put their egos aside. That's been a huge thing for us," said Furphy. “We're gonna have to do that. Not all of us are going to be the main guy. We’re going to have to put our egos aside and play as one. And if we do that, anything is possible. We’re gonna have to play super hard for the whole time."
"The 2003 team that won the gold leaves us with huge aspirations and we think we can get it done."
Furphy played at Thailand and Korea in the November 2024 window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers and then was on the squad for the February 2025 home games against Indonesia and Thailand.
"Just getting to learn from the best and just seeing the way that they play. Obviously one of my biggest memories was Chris Golding was on fire in that window (19 of 30 on threes in totaling 58 points).
"Just seeing the little things that he does well that help him get open to help him to make those shots that’s what I really learned. That will help me for the tournaments coming up," said Furphy, who combined for 5 points in 21 combined minutes in the first window.
He added 8 points and 5 rebounds in a combined 31 minutes in the window earlier this year, which also stood out for Furphy as he played for the Boomers in front of the home fans in Gippsland.
"It was completely different. It was on home soil. We had a bit more of a crowd for us. I was lucky enough to have my family fly over from Tasmania. It was pretty cool to be able to play in front of them for the first time for Australia. And that being with the senior team was unreal. You hold yourself to a different level when you're in front of them. You try to play for the whole of the nation, not just yourself and the team," he said.
Furphy and co. will not only be playing for the country in Lausanne but also will have more motivation stemming from the 2004 and 2005 Australian generations. Australia did not to participate in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2022, which also meant the country did not play at the FIBA U19 World Cup 2023.
And Furphy says he has learned some important lessons from those generations who missed the competitions.
"Moving to the Centre of Excellence two and bit years ago, it was weird a bunch of the boys that were gonna be in that team they were very very upset they couldn't go. They knew how important it was not only to them but to Australia in general. Just talking to some of the boys that were going to be in that team they say don't take anything for granted. They always tell you to just go out and play hard, the Australian way - no backward steps. The feedback from them is to go out and have fun," Furphy said.
Furphy will not only be taking the positives of wearing the green-and-gold but also the disappointment he encountered the first time he played on the global stage.
Australia won the first four games of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2022. And they were leading hosts Spain by 10 points late in the third quarter of the Quarter-Finals. But Furphy as well as stars Zikarsky and Roman Siulepa couldn't keep Spain from rallying all the way back and winning 70-68 in the end.
"It really has just fueled us more and more. Sitting in that locker room after losing that game hurt a lot, but luckily for me, Roman and Rocco, we have another chance. It's gonna be something we hold close to our hearts and are gonna use that and go out and try to win it all," said Furphy, who contributed 8.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in the 2022 event.
"We don't want to experience that feeling again."
If Australia do manage to reach the podium again, Jacob Furphy will be that much more excited having gone through the "Group of Death".
FIBA