Trey Murphy III Bio
Kenneth “Trey” Murphy III (born June 18, 2000) is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighing around 205 pounds, he plays as a versatile wing known for his smooth outside shooting and athletic finishing. He played college basketball for the Rice Owls and the Virginia Cavaliers before entering the NBA in 2021.
With Virginia, Murphy became the most recent men’s NCAA basketball player to post a 50–40–90 season, recording a 50–43–93 shooting line in 2020–21. The Durham, North Carolina, native was selected 17th overall in the 2021 NBA draft and quickly developed into a core contributor for the Pelicans.
Early Life and Background
Trey Murphy III was born on June 18, 2000, in Durham, North Carolina. He is the son of Kenneth Murphy Jr. and Albeda Murphy. His father, Kenneth Murphy Jr., played college basketball at East Carolina from 1986 to 1988, establishing an early athletic foundation in the family. The nickname “Trey” follows a family tradition: his father goes by “Kenny” and his grandfather goes by “Ken,” leaving “Trey” for the youngest in line.
Murphy attended Cary Academy in Cary, North Carolina, where he emerged as a high-level prospect. As a senior, he averaged 24.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, shooting 49.4 percent from the floor, 43.6 percent from beyond the arc, and 85.8 percent from the free-throw line. Those numbers foreshadowed the efficient, perimeter-oriented skill set that would later define his college and professional career.
On October 4, 2017, Murphy committed to playing college basketball at Rice University. His combination of size, length, and shooting touch made him an appealing recruit for a program looking to stretch the floor.
Path to Basketball
Murphy joined the Rice Owls and immediately contributed as a freshman during the 2018–19 season. He appeared in all 32 games, starting once against Charlotte in March 2019, and averaged 8.4 points and 2.6 rebounds. He shot 42.1 percent from three-point range, ranking fourth in Conference USA and setting the school’s freshman record for three-point field goal percentage. On January 26, 2019, he scored a career-high 24 points against UAB while going 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.
As a sophomore at Rice, Murphy became a featured scorer. He played in 29 of 32 games, starting 23, and led the Owls with 13.7 points per game. He produced 25 double-figure scoring games, two double-doubles, and six 20-point performances. After the season, on March 30, 2020, he entered the transfer portal and committed to the Virginia Cavaliers on April 14, 2020, aided by friend and North Carolina native Justin McKoy.
At Virginia, Murphy played under head coach Tony Bennett. Because of COVID-19 protocols, he was granted immediate eligibility for three seasons rather than the standard one-year sit-out. He opened his Virginia tenure with 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting in the Cavaliers’ season opener in Bubbleville, made his first start against William & Mary in late December 2020, and never relinquished the role. As a junior, he averaged 11.3 points and 3.4 rebounds while posting a 50–43–93 shooting line, becoming the most recent men’s NCAA player to reach the 50–40–90 milestone. On June 21, 2021, he signed with an agent and declared for the 2021 NBA draft.
Trey Murphy III Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Murphy was selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies and was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans. On August 10, 2021, he signed his rookie scale contract with the Pelicans, and on October 20 he made his NBA debut against the Philadelphia 76ers, recording six points and two assists in a 117–97 loss. During his rookie year he shuttled between New Orleans and the Pelicans’ G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron, refining his game.
His development accelerated late in the season. The Pelicans qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2018, and Murphy made his playoff debut on April 17 against the Phoenix Suns, posting six points, four rebounds, and two assists in a Game 1 loss. New Orleans was eliminated in six games, but the postseason exposure offered Murphy valuable experience.
Pelicans Breakthrough (2022–2024)
In his second NBA season, Murphy expanded his offensive responsibilities. On February 5, 2023, he scored a then season-high 30 points with four rebounds and two assists in a 136–104 win over the Sacramento Kings. Later that month he was selected to compete in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he reached the final round before finishing as runner-up to Mac McClung.
On March 12, 2023, Murphy erupted for a season-high and career-high 41 points in a 127–110 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, cementing his status as a rising scorer. His combination of three-point range, length, and transition finishing made him a focal point of the Pelicans’ attack.
New Orleans Pelicans Era (2024–2025)
Murphy’s breakout continued into 2024–25. On October 3, 2024, the Pelicans announced he would miss the start of the regular season with a right hamstring strain suffered during training camp. On October 21, 2024, he signed a four-year, $112 million contract extension that runs through 2028, reflecting his importance to the franchise’s long-term plans.
Once healthy, he played in 53 games with 51 starts and produced career-highs of 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. His season was cut short on March 17, 2025, when the Pelicans announced he would miss the remainder of the year after suffering a torn labrum and partial tear of the rotator cuff in his right shoulder.
Driving Style and Strengths
Murphy profiles as a modern, positionless wing who blends shooting touch with attacking athleticism. He spaces the floor from beyond the arc, finishes above the rim in transition, and uses his length to disrupt passing lanes. His efficient stroke and free-throw consistency have been central to his scoring growth.
Notable Events and Milestones
Highlights include his 41-point outburst against Portland in March 2023, his runner-up finish in the 2023 Slam Dunk Contest, his selection as the 17th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft, and his 2024 four-year, $112 million extension with the Pelicans. He also became the most recent men’s NCAA player to post a 50–40–90 season while at Virginia in 2020–21.
Trey Murphy III Career Wins
Murphy’s individual résumé centers on consistent scoring outbursts and All-Star recognition rather than championship hardware. Through his first four NBA seasons, he has built a reputation as one of the league’s most efficient young wings, with career scoring highs of 41 points in a single game and a season average exceeding 21 points in 2024–25.
NBA Highlights
Murphy’s most memorable NBA moments include his 41-point performance against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 12, 2023, and his 30-point game against the Sacramento Kings on February 5, 2023. He also reached the final round of the 2023 Slam Dunk Contest and helped the Pelicans return to the playoffs in 2022.
Other Wins and Performances
At Virginia, Murphy’s 50–43–93 shooting line in 2020–21 marked the most recent men’s NCAA 50–40–90 season. At Rice, he set the school’s freshman record for three-point field goal percentage and earned Conference USA recognition for his long-range accuracy.
Trey Murphy III Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Murphy comes from a basketball family. His father, Kenneth Murphy Jr., played at East Carolina from 1986 to 1988, giving Trey an early connection to the sport. The “Trey” nickname reflects a family pattern: his father goes by “Kenny” and his grandfather by “Ken.” His mother, Albeda, raised him in Durham, North Carolina.
Personal Life
Born and raised in Durham, Murphy attended Cary Academy in Cary, North Carolina, before launching his college and professional career. He maintains a public presence on social media under the handle @treymurphy.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 campaign marked Trey Murphy III’s clearest ascent to stardom. He opened the year on the sidelines with a right hamstring strain, then returned to post career-high averages of 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 53 games, including 51 starts. His perimeter shooting and transition play made him the Pelicans’ most reliable offensive engine during the early portion of the schedule.
On October 21, 2024, the Pelicans rewarded his emergence with a four-year, $112 million extension, signaling their commitment to building around him alongside forward Zion Williamson. However, on March 17, 2025, New Orleans announced that Murphy would miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn labrum and partial tear of the rotator cuff in his right shoulder, a major blow to the Pelicans’ postseason push.
Looking ahead, Murphy’s primary focus is rehabilitation and a full return for the 2025–26 season. With his contract running through 2028, he remains a central piece of the Pelicans’ long-term core, and his recovery timeline will shape the franchise’s competitive outlook into 2025 and beyond.