T. Murphy Bio in PDF Format
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Murphy’s Teleconference With Coach Brey
April 20, 2001
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Notre Dame junior forward Troy Murphy (Morristown, N..J.) will forego his senior year and become eligible for the 2001 National Basketball Association draft on June 27.
The 6-11 junior becomes the first underclassman since Adrian Dantley to leave school and declare himself eligible for the draft before his senior year. Dantley left after playing three seasons at Notre Dame (1973-74, 1974-75 and 1975-76) and was the sixth pick overall in the 1976 draft. The only other Notre Dame player to pass up a final season of eligibility was Gary Brokaw, who played for the Irish 1972-73 and 1973-74 (he was the 18th pick overall in the ’74 draft).
Murphy led the Irish in scoring and rebounding in each of his three seasons, averaging 21.8 points and 9.2 rebounds during the 2000-01 campaign. A consensus first-team All-American as a junior and sophomore, he is one of 10 Irish players to earn consensus All-America honors (which includes six players named on more than one occasion).
Murphy shared BIG EAST Player of the Year honors with Troy Bell of Boston College this season and joined an elite group of four players — Chris Mullin (St. John’s), Patrick Ewing (Georgetown) and Richard Hamilton (Connecticut) — as the only two-time winners of the award. He was named to the John R. Wooden Award All-America Team for the second consecutive year, finished fifth in the balloting for the Wooden Award and was among the top three finalists for the Naismith player-of-the-year honor. A first-team all-BIG EAST selection each of the past two seasons, Murphy also was named the BIG EAST Rookie of the Year in 1999.
He became just the fifth player in Notre Dame history to score more than 2,000 career points and will finish his career fifth on the all-time scoring list with 2,011 points. Murphy is the only player to score more than 2,000 points and grab more than 900 rebounds (924) in 94 career games. He leaves Notre Dame with career averages of 21.4 points and 9.8 rebounds. Murphy was a starter in 93 games during his career and scored in double figures in 92 of those 94 contests.
In addition to finishing fifth on the all-time career scoring list, he ranks second in blocked shots (126), free throws made (587) and free throws attempted (755), sixth in rebounding and field goals made (680) and ninth in field goals attempted (1,370).
Statement from Notre Dame Head Coach Mike Brey:
“As I’ve stated numerous times throughout the year, and before this process even began when the season ended, we (as a basketball program) are going to support Troy in whatever future decisions he makes. I’m happy for Troy and his family and wish him all the best. I know this wasn’t an easy decision for him, but I am certain that he will enjoy as much success playing in the NBA as he did while at Notre Dame.
“It was an honor and priviledge to have coached Troy this past season. He was very instrumental in helping my transition when I got the job back on July 14, and he provided me with invaluable input throughout the entire year.
“Troy certainly is one of this University’s most prolific players, his accomplishments and honors speak for themselves. More important than the statistics, however, was the leadership he displayed on the court that helped us win a BIG EAST regular-season title for the first time ever this year. He helped us return to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 11 years and put us back on the college basketball map. Troy always will be part of our Notre Dame basketball family.”
Statement from Troy Murphy:
“I’m relieved to have this process over. It was a very difficult decision for me to make. With the help of my parents, my AAU coach Tony Sagona and Coach Brey, I’ve hired an agent and will pursue my dream of playing in the NBA next year.
“I have so many people to thank at the University. It’s been a wonderful experience playing basketball and being a student at Notre Dame. I plan on returning to school during the offseason to finish the coursework for my degree in sociology. Graduating from the University is very important to me and my family.”