PORTALES, NM – Eastern New Mexico University Men’s Basketball Head Coach, Tres Segler, announced today the signing of Isaiah Murphy. Murphy comes to Greyhound Nation from Pima Junior college in Tucson, Ariz. The 6’5 skilled wing played two years for Pima Head Coach, Brian Peabody, and most recently helped to lead the Aztecs to a National Runner up finish in the NJCAA Division II Finals in Danville, Ill.
Murphy was a two year standout talent for Peabody and the Aztecs. He averaged 16 points per contest, adding four rebounds, 2.5 assists per game and 1.5 steals per game over his career at the junior college. Arguably one of his top areas of impact for the Pima Aztecs may have been his three-point shooting, and Murphy poured in 122 makes over his two-year career in Tucson. He shot the ball from the perimeter at an amazing percentage as well, averaging 39% over the course of his time at Pima.
Murphy has garnered a vast amount of NJCAA and ACCAC awards over his career including: earning to the NJCAA All-Tournament Team in Danville, IL, ACCAC Player of the Week on two occasions. Murphy was first team All-ACCAC and first team All-Region I, Division II, and he won 53 games in two years at Pima.
Segler added, “We’re excited about Isaiah for so many reasons! He has proved for the past two seasons at a highly respected program that he can be a scoring producer night in and night out. Isaiah’s frame at 6’5 is huge, and his incredible wingspan allows him to make plays above the rim with ease. I truly believe that his frame alone will help him survive and impact in the Lone Star Conference.”
Murphy has also spent time on the Japanese National Team due to his mother’s Japanese heritage. Isaiah was invited to try-out, and then was invited to be a part of the U19 Japan Men’s National Team. He played in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup that was hosted in Cairo, Egypt. Murphy mainly played the point-guard position for the National Team, and further demonstrated his adaptability and versatility as a perimeter threat.
Segler noted, “Isaiah has a wealth of high level basketball experience. Coach Peabody, Coach Hidalgo, and the entire Pima Basketball coaching staff have poured into him over the past two seasons to ensure that he is capable of playing at the highest levels. I also believe that his time with the Japan National team has opened his eyes to the level of talent across the world. Isaiah had to adapt quickly to different styles of play, different coaching styles, and different offensive attack patterns. I know that these experiences will combine with his already special basketball IQ in order to help him impact our team and our conference next season. One of his greatest attributes is one that does not show up in the stat sheet. Isaiah brings an unreal level of unselfishness and toughness to our program, and he will impact the game in more ways than just the scoring column. We are always searching for young men that can strengthen our culture here at ENMU, and I am quite confident that Isaiah will prove to be a leader in his time in Portales.”
What is clear is that Murphy brings a wealth of diverse experience and talent to Portales and to Greyhound Nation. We are all excited to see him in Greyhound Arena next season helping the Greyhounds chase a Lone Star Conference Title.
