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Murphy won't be back Notre Dame star's decision to go pro is final
Updated: Saturday April 21, 2001 3:19 AM
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) -- Troy Murphy is done at Notre Dame. Ten days after releasing a statement saying he was keeping his options open by submitting his name to the NBA draft but not signing with an agent, the two-time All-American announced Friday afternoon that he has decided to chase his lifetime dream of a pro career. "It's just a feeling I had, like the feeling when I came here," Murphy said. "It's something I'm ready to do and a feeling I have to move on and take the next step." Murphy said his decision wasn't influenced by others deciding to stay in school or enter the draft. The 6-foot-11 forward could have waited until June 20, a week before the draft to make a decision, but said he decided now because he felt he was ready. Irish coach Mike Brey said that after talks with NBA officials, he expects Murphy to be drafted somewhere between the 10th and 15th picks. Brey said he expects an NBA rule change next year allowing zone defenses to increase interest in Murphy because of his shooting ability. Murphy, who has not yet hired an agent, said he was more interested in being selected by a team where he would fit in well than how high he would be drafted. Murphy said making the decision came as a relief, saying the first questions about whether he would return for his senior year came as soon as he announced last spring that he would return for his junior season. "I think [the NBA] will be work, I think it will be a lot of work, but I think I'm ready for that," he said. "I'm ready to play basketball, it is what I like to do." Murphy becomes the first player to leave Notre Dame early for the NBA draft since Adrian Dantley did so following the 1975-76 season. Dantley was the sixth overall pick by the then-Buffalo Braves, now the Los Angeles Clippers. Murphy, who played for three Irish coaches in three years, considered leaving the Irish after his sophomore season, but returned after a talk with then-coach Matt Doherty. Murphy fulfilled his goal of leading the Irish to their first NCAA tournament berth in 11 years, averaging 21.8 points and 9.2 rebounds as the Irish (20-10) reached the second round of the tournament. Murphy finishes with 2,011 career points, one of only five Irish players to score more than 2,000 points. He finishes 550 points shy of breaking the mark of Notre Dame's career leader, Austin Carr. Murphy is on of four players to be named Big East player of the year twice. Returning to try to break the career scoring mark was never much of a consideration, Murphy said. "I think you start off with a dream when you're younger," he said. "I didn't ever dream of being the all-time leading scorer at Notre Dame or anything like that. I dreamed of playing in the NBA."
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