For Erik Murphy, the path to the NBA Draft is a family affair.
Twenty-nine years ago, Murphy’s father, Jay Murphy, was selected 31st overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the second round. The power forward out of Boston College played four seasons in the league – his final two with the Washington Bullets.
Murphy, who plays at the same position, hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps and hear his name called at the NBA Draft one week from today.
“It would be big. Honestly, it’s my dream,” Murphy said. “But whatever happens, happens. It’s out of my control at this point.”
If Murphy is the first Gator selected next Thursday night, he would be the 16th player and 11th frontcourt player drafted during coach Billy Donovan’s 17-year tenure at Florida.
Most NBA Draft analysts have projected the 6-foot-10 Murphy as a mid to late second-round pick.
Draftexpress.com has Murphy going 42nd, NBADraft.net has him at No. 48 and ESPN’s Chad Ford ranked him outside of his top 60 prospects for the draft.
Based on what scouts have told his agent, Andy Miller of ASM Sports, Murphy believes he will be drafted somewhere in the second round.
“Everybody says different things,” Murphy said. “Everybody has their own ideas, and when it comes to the draft, it’s really unpredictable.”
Murphy hopes his success shooting the ball in his final season at Florida will translate to the next level.
He shot 45.3 percent from behind the arc in 2012-13 and led the Southeastern Conference in three-point shooting percentage (.473) during league play.
Murphy became more of an inside threat last year – shooting 57.9 percent inside the arc – as he took 0.6 more two-point field goal attempts per game than during his junior season.
Averaging 12.2 points per game, Murphy finished his senior season ranked 35th in the country in offensive rating, 17th in effective field-goal percentage and 21st in true shooting percentage, according to KenPom.com.
Murphy’s most efficient game as a Gator was a 10-for-10, 24-point showing against Wisconsin on Nov. 14. He eclipsed the 20-point mark three times in 2012-13.
During workouts, Murphy said he has tried to prove to scouts that he’s more athletic and a better defender than they think.
He struggled to grab boards in his first three years at UF, but slightly improved his senior season, averaging 5.5 per game.
Murphy has heard the Matt Bonner comparisons from people around him, but he said he aspires to find a niche in the NBA similar to that of Ryan Anderson – a stretch four and sixth man for the New Orleans Pelicans.
So far, Murphy has worked out for the San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Portland Trail Blazers, Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons. He plans to work out for the Phoenix Suns on Saturday.
“It’s been a busy process,” Murphy said. “There’s been a lot going on, with traveling and workouts and combines and all kinds of stuff. But it’s been fun though. You have to have fun with it.”
Next Thursday, Murphy won’t be in the Barclays Center in Brooklyn – the site of the 2013 NBA Draft.
Instead, he will be watching the draft back in his hometown of South Kingstown, R.I., with his family and close friends.
“It’s getting closer,” Murphy said, “so there’s a little bit more anticipation.”
Contact Landon Watnick at lwatnick@alligator.org.
Erik Murphy shoots during Florida’s 58-40 win against Savannah State on Nov. 20 in the O’Connell Center.
