LAS VEGAS -All of the NBA's incoming rookies officially made their professional debuts over the weekend. Many of the rookies were impressive, but only a few have stood out amongst others. New Orleans Pelicans rookie Trey Murphy has been one of those standouts.
In an exclusive interview with ClutchPoints, Murphy gave insight into feeling slighted and what he’s out to prove.
“I mean, I don't go out there to prove people wrong. I just want to prove myself right because I believe in myself, and I know what I can do and what I'm capable of,” Trey Murphy told ClutchPoints.
In 27 minutes, the 17th overall pick in the draft poured in 26 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and knocked down six triples in a 94-77 win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday. Murphy did so while shooting an efficient 9-15 from the field.
If Murphy had any butterflies going into his first Summer League game, there was no way of noticing. He scored the Pelicans' first points of the game by knocking down a three with 9:15 left in the first quarter.
It was a moment Murphy's been thinking about ever since the NBA Draft. Although he's pleased and excited to be a member of the Pelicans, the rookie was under the impression that a specific team with a higher pick was going to draft him.
“Yeah, you definitely have those teams that pass up on you, especially the ones that told you that they really love you and really like your game,” Pelicans rookie Trey Murphy told ClutchPoints. “You always think about that stuff when you're out there playing on the court. But at the end of the day, what's going to happen is going to happen, and you know, they'll see.”
One team that was reportedly interested in Murphy was the Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors had the 7th and 14th pick in this year's draft. Days before the draft, they held a final workout between Davion Mitchell, Chris Duarte, Moses Moody, and Murphy to decide who they would pick with their two lottery picks. It was the second time Murphy worked out for the Warriors.
“There was not a single workout where someone outplayed me,” the Pelicans talent told ClutchPoints. “I feel like I was the best player on the floor, and as workouts progressed, I feel like I got better and better.”
Murphy, who is 21, is a prospect who can play right away in the NBA. At 6-foot-9 with guard skills and the ability to make it rain from deep, he could be a handful for defenders.
The Pelicans were looking for a shooter, so they aggressively showed interest in Murphy. The college standout out of Virginia was available at No. 17, and the Pelicans got their man.
In the end, everyone's happy, but the teams that passed up on Murphy aren't off the hook yet. When asked if he's excited to play those teams, he quickly replied.
“100 percent I’m excited,” he responded. Those games are the ones you mark on the calendar. You really just want to prove yourself because I've been doubted my entire life and I've always prevailed at the end. So, I'm really excited to get those opportunities to go against the teams that passed up on me.”
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