New Orleans second-year forward Trey Murphy will try to become part of NBA history Saturday by adding his name to the list of dunk-contest champions, but in a way, he’s already achieved something unprecedented. Officially invited to the event on Tuesday evening, Murphy is likely the first-ever participant who had never slammed a basketball until he was in 12th grade.
“My first dunk came as a senior in high school and now I’m participating in the NBA dunk contest,” Murphy said, shaking his head at the rapid ascension. “I’m pretty excited for it, ready to compete and show what I’ve got in my trick bag. (Getting invited) was pretty cool for sure.”
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The 22-year-old has been a late-bloomer in hoops in every sense of the word, not highly recruited before he hit a growth spurt, eventually signing with Rice, then transferring to Division I power Virginia. That pattern has continued in the NBA, with Murphy starting slowly initially as a rookie, then becoming a key reserve during New Orleans’ run to the 2022 playoffs. He’s shooting over 40 percent from three-point range in 2022-23, while averaging 13.1 points, ranked eighth among second-year pros. As a result, Murphy was also selected to play in Friday’s Jordan Rising Stars competition. He and Jose Alvarado will represent the Pelicans in the showcase of premier first- and second-year players.
“I was happy about (being invited), because I definitely set it as one of my goals for my sophomore year,” Murphy said. “But honestly, I was more happy for Jose, with his story and everything he’s been through. I’m really happy for him.”
Murphy was “drafted” by Rising Stars honorary coach Deron Williams for the Team Deron roster, while Alvarado is on Team Pau (coached by Pau Gasol), raising the possibility that the two second-year Pelicans could face each other during the four-team event (Joakim Noah and Jason Terry lead the other squads).
Asked about the potential of matching up vs. Alvarado, a smiling Murphy said, “It would be kind of funny. I’ll make sure he gets no (Grand Theft Alvarado) steals. So after every basket I might have to block him off, find him, so he doesn’t get one – especially against me.”