From Crib to Court: Trey Murphy's Meteoric Rise to Pelicans' 3-Point King!
It seems destiny had a hand in Trey Murphy's journey. Before he was sinking three-pointers, there were hints of his future greatness. Even his name, Trey, hinted at his destiny. But here's where it gets interesting: his childhood crib. Most kids have a regular crib, but Trey's had a basketball goal attached!
This wasn't just a coincidence; it was a sign of things to come. Trey Murphy, at just 25 years old, and in his fifth season with the New Orleans Pelicans, has become the franchise's all-time leader in 3-pointers.
He surpassed former teammate CJ McCollum, who had held the record since January 2023. Murphy vowed to take down McCollum's record, saying, "It won’t be long… It’ll be taken down. It’s like having a bar set for me." And he proved to be a man of his word, breaking the record in less than a year. He tied McCollum's record of 692 3-pointers with 3:58 left in the second quarter of the game against the Miami Heat and broke the record with 39.8 seconds left in the half.
"It’s pretty cool," Murphy admitted. "You always want to leave your mark somewhere on and off the court and I feel like this is something to show on the court." He achieved this feat in just 285 games, placing him among the greats. But here's a surprising fact: the Pelicans' franchise record of 709 (and counting) is the lowest among all NBA franchises! The Los Angeles Clippers hold the second-lowest record at 820.
But here's a point that could spark debate: as long as Murphy remains with the Pelicans, his record will likely stand for a long time. He's currently in a hot streak, making at least six 3-pointers in his last three games, including a career-best 42 points in a recent loss. And this is the part most people miss: Despite his individual success, the Pelicans' record has been challenging, with a 9-31 record in the current season. Murphy leads the team in minutes played and ranks second in points (21.7), rebounds (6.2), assists (3.5), and steals (1.7).
Pelicans' interim head coach Borrego praised Murphy, saying, "He deserves a ton of credit… He’s going to have a wonderful career here." Murphy's parents also deserve credit. His mom recalls his early days when he'd run with his hands in his pockets, leading his dad to remove all shorts with pockets. His dad coached him from a young age, and although he struggled initially, he improved. By the fourth grade, he was already hitting 3's, and by eighth grade, he was one of the best shooters around.
Murphy's first NBA 3-pointer came in his rookie season, after a scoreless first half. He made his first one with 1:56 left in the game and his second one less than a minute later, from 28 feet. Trey Murphy was just getting started, doing what he was born to do.
What do you think? Do you believe Murphy's record will stand for a long time? Share your thoughts in the comments!
