Trey Murphy III Bio
Kenneth “Trey” Murphy III, widely known as Trey Murphy III, is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A versatile small forward and power forward listed at 6 ft 8 in and 206 lb, he has quickly developed into one of the league’s most efficient shooters. After starring at Rice and Virginia in college, he entered the NBA in 2021 and earned a long-term contract extension with the Pelicans in 2024.
Murphy first drew national attention at Virginia, where he became the most recent men’s NCAA basketball player to post a 50–40–90 season, finishing 2020–21 with shooting splits of 50 percent from the field, 43 percent from three-point range, and 93 percent from the free-throw line. He now stands as the Pelicans’ all-time leader in three-pointers made.
Early Life and Background
Murphy was born on June 18, 2000, in Durham, North Carolina, to his mother, Albeda, and his father, Kenneth Murphy Jr. He grew up in the Research Triangle area and attended Cary Academy in Cary, North Carolina, where he emerged as a high-level prospect. His father, Kenneth, had been a college basketball player at East Carolina from 1986 to 1988, giving the household a clear connection to the sport.
The nickname “Trey” is a family tradition. Murphy has explained that his grandfather goes by “Ken” and his father goes by “Kenny,” so he adopted the next generation of the name, “Trey.” This family lineage also helps explain why basketball became a central part of his upbringing.
At Cary Academy, Murphy had a notable growth spurt, standing 5 ft 8 in as a freshman and not reaching 6 ft 4 in until his senior year. He continued to grow in college and reached his current height of 6 ft 8 in by the time of the 2021 NBA draft. As a senior, he averaged 24.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game while shooting 49.4 percent from the floor, 43.6 percent from three-point range, and 85.8 percent from the free-throw line. On October 4, 2017, he committed to playing college basketball at Rice.
Path to Basketball
Murphy began his college career at Rice, where he joined the Owls for the 2018–19 season. As a freshman, he played in all 32 games, starting once, and averaged 8.4 points and 2.6 rebounds. He set the school freshman record for three-point field goal percentage at 42.1 percent, ranking fourth in Conference USA in that category. On January 26, 2019, he scored a career-high 24 points with five three-pointers against UAB, signaling his shooting potential.
As a sophomore at Rice, Murphy became a featured scorer. He played in 29 of 32 games, started 23, and led the Owls in scoring at 13.7 points per game. He recorded 25 double-figure scoring games, two double-doubles, and six 20-point games, showing he was ready for a higher level of competition.
On March 30, 2020, Murphy entered the transfer portal, and on April 14, 2020, he transferred to the Virginia Cavaliers. North Carolina native and friend Justin McKoy helped recruit him. Because COVID-19 protocols affected college basketball, Murphy was granted three years of immediate eligibility rather than the standard two. He became a key piece of Virginia’s disciplined, motion-based offense under head coach Tony Bennett.
Trey Murphy III Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Murphy’s first two college seasons at Rice built his identity as a sharp-shooting wing. His freshman three-point record and Conference USA shooting ranks gave him a foundation as a perimeter threat, even as he worked to add strength and size. By his sophomore year, he had grown into a primary scoring option, with his 13.7-point average and team-leading scoring totals demonstrating consistent production.
Those Rice seasons were also where Murphy developed the shooting mechanics and confidence that would later define his professional game. His work in the weight room during that period coincided with his late growth spurt, helping him transition from a slender shooter to a more complete wing prospect.
Virginia Breakthrough (2020–2021)
Murphy’s lone season at Virginia became the launchpad for his NBA career. Coming off the bench, he scored 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting in the Cavaliers’ season opener in Bubbleville. He made his first start against William & Mary in late December 2020 and held that starting role for the rest of the year, with NBA scouts rating him a top-45 draft prospect during the season.
As a junior, he averaged 11.3 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, but the headline was his historic efficiency. His 50–43–93 shooting line made him the most recent men’s NCAA player to achieve a 50–40–90 season. After that campaign, Murphy declared for the 2021 NBA draft while preserving his college eligibility, then signed with an agent on June 21, 2021, ending his time at Virginia.
New Orleans Pelicans Era (2021–Present)
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 New Orleans, and he made his NBA debut on October 20, 2021, recording six points and two assists in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. During his rookie season, he had multiple assignments with the Pelicans’ G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron, while also helping New Orleans reach the postseason for the first time since 2018. He made his playoff debut on April 17, 2022, in a first-round Game 1 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
By his second full season, Murphy had emerged as a featured scorer for the Pelicans. On February 5, 2023, he scored a then-season-high 30 points in a 136–104 win over the Sacramento Kings, and on March 12, 2023, he posted a then-career-high 41 points in a 127–110 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. In February 2023, he was selected for the Slam Dunk Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he reached the final round before being defeated by Mac McClung.
On October 3, 2024, the Pelicans announced that Murphy 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 with New Orleans. He played in 53 games with 51 starts that season, averaging career-highs of 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. On March 17, 2025, the team announced he would miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn labrum and partial tear of the rotator cuff in his right shoulder.
Driving Style and Strengths
Murphy’s game is built on perimeter shooting, length, and off-ball movement. He is at his best as a floor spacer who can attack closeouts, finish at the rim, and rebound at a strong rate for a wing. His combination of size, fluid shooting stroke, and improving playmaking has made him a natural fit alongside the Pelicans’ lead creators.
Notable Events and Milestones
Murphy’s signature milestones include becoming the most recent men’s NCAA player to record a 50–40–90 season, reaching the Slam Dunk Contest final at the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend, and surpassing CJ McCollum as the Pelicans’ all-time leader in three-pointers made on January 4, 2026. He also posted a 44-point career high on February 4, 2026, in an overtime loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Trey Murphy III Career Wins
Murphy has notched numerous individual scoring milestones and franchise records across his first five NBA seasons. His progression from a late-first-round pick to a long-term core piece for the Pelicans is reflected in his career scoring averages, three-point totals, and contract extension.
NBA Highlights
Among his most memorable NBA performances are a 30-point game against the Sacramento Kings on February 5, 2023, a 41-point game against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 12, 2023, and a 44-point career high against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 4, 2026. He is also the Pelicans’ all-time leader in three-pointers made, passing CJ McCollum on January 4, 2026.
Other Wins & Performances
Murphy posted his 50–40–90 season at Virginia in 2020–21 and set the Rice freshman record for three-point field goal percentage during the 2018–19 season. He was also named a participant in the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
Trey Murphy III Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Murphy comes from a basketball family. His father, Kenneth Murphy Jr., played college basketball at East Carolina from 1986 to 1988. His mother, Albeda, raised Trey in Durham, North Carolina, and the family lived in the Cary area while he attended Cary Academy.
Personal Life
Murphy goes by “Trey” because his father goes by “Kenny” and his grandfather goes by “Ken,” continuing a family naming pattern. He is American, born in Durham, North Carolina, and continues his professional career in the United States with the New Orleans Pelicans.
2025 Season Performance
Murphy opened the 2024–25 campaign on the sidelines, missing the start of the regular season with a right hamstring strain suffered during training camp. He returned to post career-best numbers across the board, starting 51 of his 53 appearances and averaging 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. His offensive leap reinforced his role as a central piece of the Pelicans’ rotation.
His season was cut short on March 17, 2025, when the team 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. The injury forced him to watch from the bench as New Orleans pushed for a playoff spot without one of its leading scorers.
With a long-term contract in place and his three-point shooting record already secured, Murphy’s outlook entering the next season centers on a healthy return, continued growth as a primary scorer, and a return to the form that made him a cornerstone of the Pelicans’ future. His early 2026 production suggests he is on track to meet those expectations.
