Alex Murphy (basketball)

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Alex Murphy
Murphy playing for Florida
Movistar Estudiantes
PositionForward
LeagueLEB Oro
Personal information
Born (1993-06-03) June 3, 1993 (age 30)
Wakefield, Rhode Island, U.S.
NationalityFinnish / American
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High schoolSt. Mark's School
(Southborough, Massachusetts)
College
NBA draft2017: undrafted
Playing career2017–present
Career history
2017–2018Kataja
2018–2019Szolnoki Olaj KK
2019–2020Gipuzkoa
2020–2021Fundación CB Granada
2021–2022Fukushima Firebonds
2022–2023Levanga Hokkaido
2023–presentCB Estudiantes
Career highlights and awards

Alex James Murphy (born June 3, 1993) is a Finnish-American professional basketball player for Spanish club CB Estudiantes. He played college basketball for Duke University, the University of Florida and Northeastern University. He is the son of former National Basketball Association (NBA) player Jay Murphy, and the brother of former NBA forward Erik Murphy. He plays for the Finnish national team.

High school career[edit]

Murphy was ranked as the No. 41 player in the ESPNU 100,[1] the No. 45 player by Rivals.com, and the No. 41 player by Scout.com. He attended St. Mark's School in Southborough, Massachusetts, where he played alongside Kaleb Tarczewski and Nik Stauskas. Murphy led St. Mark's School to a 27–3 record as a junior. Murphy was also named NEPSAC ISL Player of the Year in 2011. In April 2011, he decided to forgo his senior year of high school and join the class of 2011. This allowed Murphy to graduate in the spring of 2011 and attend Duke University in the fall of that year. Murphy left St. Mark's School and attended South Kingstown High School for the remaining months in order to graduate and enroll at Duke that summer.[2]

AAU[edit]

Murphy played for the Adidas sponsored New England Playaz Basketball Club.[3]

College recruitment[edit]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Alex Murphy
SF
Wakefield, Rhode Island St. Mark's School 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Feb 7, 2011 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247SportsN/A    ESPN grade: 96

Murphy committed to play basketball at Duke on February 7, 2011. Recruiting columnists speculated that he would commit to the University of Florida because his older brother, Erik Murphy, was a four-year player under coach Billy Donovan. Murphy chose Duke over Florida, Arizona, Boston College, North Carolina, Villanova and West Virginia.[4]

Reclassification[edit]

On April 19, 2011, Murphy announced that he would reclassify and be graduating a year early from St. Mark's School and would enroll at Duke University a year earlier than expected.[5] Having met all academic requirements necessary to do this, Murphy was able to enroll at Duke in the summer of 2011, and was the fifth member of Duke's 2011 recruiting class. "It was a very difficult decision but at the end of the day, I thought this was the best thing for my future," Murphy said. "It's a great opportunity."[5]

College[edit]

Redshirt (2011-2012)[edit]

In December 2011, Murphy decided to redshirt his freshman season with fellow recruit Marshall Plumlee. Murphy said, "It's still to be determined, but a redshirt year is most likely what I'm going to do. That's the plan right now." after No. 5 Duke beat Washington, 86–80, at Madison Square Garden.[6]

Professional career[edit]

On August 4, 2017, Murphy signed his first professional contract with Joensuun Kataja of the Finnish Korisliiga.[7]

On July 13, 2018, Murphy signed a one-year deal with Szolnoki Olaj KK of the Hungarian League.

On August 5, 2019, he signed with Delteco Gipuzkoa Basket.[8]

Personal life[edit]

Murphy's father, Jay Murphy, is a former NBA player while his mother, Päivi, played for the Finland women's national basketball team from 1988 to 1994.[9] His older brother Erik Murphy is also a professional basketball player. The Murphys are Catholic and members of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Wakefield, Rhode Island.

He holds both Finnish and American passports.[10]

International[edit]

Murphy played for Finland at the FIBA U20 European Championships in the summer of 2012.[11] Murphy is now a member of the Finnish men's national team.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Alex Murphy 2012 Basketball Recruiting Profile". Archived from the original on February 26, 2011. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
  2. ^ "St. Mark's High School Basketball". Retrieved April 6, 2011.
  3. ^ "New England Playaz 2010 Boys Team". Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
  4. ^ Finkelstein, Adam (February 7, 2011). "Junior Alex Murphy picks Duke". Retrieved April 6, 2011.
  5. ^ a b Alex Murphy becomes part of Duke's 2011 class. – ESPN. Sports.espn.go.com (April 19, 2011). Retrieved on 2012-06-29.
  6. ^ Duke’s Alex Murphy Ready for Redshirt. ZagsBlog.com (December 10, 2011). Retrieved on 2012-06-29.
  7. ^ "Susijengi-debytantti Alex Murphy aloittaa ammattilaisuransa Kataja Basketissa – "On upeaa päästä osaksi voittamisen kulttuuria"". Kataja Basket Club (in Finnish). August 4, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  8. ^ "Alex Murphy signs with Delteco Gipuzkoa". Sportando. August 5, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  9. ^ "33 Erik Murphy". Gatorzone.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  10. ^ Murphy brothers will impact Finland future
  11. ^ Murphy Makes a Name for Himself at FIBA U20

External links[edit]