Calvin Murphy

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Calvin Murphy is an American former professional basketball player who played as a guard for the NBA's Houston Rockets from 1970-1983. He is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. He is also a former member of the Rockets' broadcast team.

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[edit] Early life and high school (1948-1966)

Murphy was born May 9, 1948, in Norwalk, Connecticut. He played basketball for Norwalk High School, where he was All-State 1964-66 and All-America 1965-66.

Murphy also won a national championship in baton twirling in 1963. Murphy received both of his athletic interests from his mother, Ina. She was a one-time majorette and guard with a semipro basketball team in North Carolina.

[edit] College (1967-1970)

He then attended Niagara University, where he was a four year letter winner, a two time consensus first team All-America (1969-70), and consensus second team All-America (1968). He scored 2,548 points in 77 games (33.1 points per game), which is fourth best in NCAA history.

In 1970, he led Niagara to the NCAA tournament and advanced to the second round, where they lost to Villanova.

[edit] NBA (1970-1983)

Calvin Murphy was drafted by the San Diego Rockets (now the Houston Rockets) as the first pick in the second round (18th overall) of the 1970 NBA Draft. In his first season, Murphy was nominated to the NBA All-Rookie team. A diminutive (at 175 cm, 5 ft 9 in) guard, Murphy was known for his quickness and defensive ability. He was one of the best free-throw shooters ever, setting the NBA record for most consecutive free throws made, as well as setting a record for the highest free throw percentage in 1980-1981. He set many impressive records within the Rockets organization, including that of all-time leading scorer until that record was broken in 1994 by Hakeem Olajuwon. The Rockets made it to the NBA Finals in 1981, losing to the Boston Celtics in six games. After retiring from the NBA in 1983, Calvin Murphy was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.

[edit] Personal life

Murphy was married to Vernetta Murphy, with whom he had three daughters.

[edit] Post-NBA

After retirement, Calvin Murphy continued to work for the Rockets organization in numerous roles, but publicly he was most well-known for being the television analyst for Rockets games.

In September 2004, five of Murphy's daughters claimed that they were sexually abused by Murphy as children, and Murphy was charged with three counts each of oral sex on a defenseless child and aggravated sexual assault. The five daughters were all from extramarital affiars and did not live with Murphy. As a result of the allegations, Murphy's job with the Houston Rockets organization was terminated. He denied these charges in court, and he was acquitted in a jury trial. Nevertheless, the Houston Rockets chose not to rehire him.

[edit] Statistics and accomplishments

  • Height: 5'9"
  • Inducted to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.
  • Jersey #23 retired by the Houston Rockets.
  • NBA Record: Free Throw Percentage, All-Time - Tied for 3rd, 3445 of 3864 (89.2%)
  • NBA Record: Highest Free Throw Percentage in a Season - 1st, 206 of 215 (95.8%) in 1980-1
  • NBA Record: Consecutive Free Throws Made - 4th, 78 (December 27, 1980 - February 28, 1981)
  • NBA All-Rookie Team: 1971
  • NBA All-Star Team: 1979
  • Games played; 1,022
  • Career points: 17,949 (17.9 points per game)
  • Career steals: 1,165
  • Career assists: 4,402 (4.4 apg)
  • Career high points: 57 (against San Antonio Spurs, 1981)
  • 1000-point seasons: 11

[edit] External links

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