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CLASS OF 2012 PROSPECT: ALEX MURPHY

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This entry was posted on Sunday, July 25th, 2010 at 12:15 AM and is filed under Class of 2011 recruits, Class of 2012 recruits. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

5 Responses to “CLASS OF 2012 PROSPECT: ALEX MURPHY”

  1. Carlos J. M. Says:
    July 25th, 2010 at 2:33 AM

    There’s lots of Sean Rooks (maybe even a little Anthony Cook and Joe Turner too) in Grant Jerrett. ‘Cats and modest, good-natured, wheels-always-turning-up-there Rooks experienced a lot of success while developing together for those four years. Wookie took what he learned under Coach O, soaked up what every other coach in his life was teaching him and parlayed his moderate but effective skills into a steady, lengthy, productive NBA career. ‘Ol No. 34 (think I got his number right) is now looked at as a big-time tutor and mentor of not only up and coming big men but all youth in the game. In fact, Rooks would make a fine addition to Coach Miller’s staff some day, should the possibility arise.

    My point: Jerrett is young and raw and says and does all the right things – and at 15! I mean, 3.5 GPA and knows he can – and will – do better? Expects more of himself and takes it personally when his team doesn’t do as well as he and they know they can? I say Coach Miller, if it came right down to it, takes a chance on GJ, instead of Isaiah Austin from Texas, who’s at the same position and in the same class. Austin is a one-and-done, if that, and so the ‘Cats get more bang over three, four years with Grant. I can see this kid blossoming into something really special.

    A Cardinal and Navy Class of ’12 that would be mighty good to see:

    Anrio Adams – 6’4″ PG-SG (latter day JT and Seattle connection would be back, alive and well!)

    Alex Murphy – 6’9″ PG-SG-F (maybe not NY eastern but eastern – Mass, RI eastern – nevertheless)

    Landen Lucas – 6’9″ F-C (stars are lined up nicely once again, order is restored in the basketball world, Oregon to Arizona pipeline flows freely once more!)

    Grant Jerrett – 6’11″ F-C (channeling Olson, Rooks, Cook and Turner, ‘Cats return to form – and then some!)

    Would be nice, wouldn’t it?

  2. STR Says:
    July 25th, 2010 at 11:21 AM

    Hey, I don’t doubt he is a nice & intelligent kid. But I was really surprised by the highlight video. Yes that is the only thing I have seen of him. But based on that I would say that Coach Miller better wait a year before making him an offer. Alex Murphy looks a lot more impressive.

  3. George Says:
    July 25th, 2010 at 2:11 PM

    If that’s your ideal 2012 class, Carlos, you’re missing on some guys there. You’re right on with Adams, and I love Alex Murphy’s game (Jerrett has an elite skill set also), but Arizona’s ideal class for 2012 – and I’ve mentioned it here before – should look something like this:

    Adams (if you like Omar Calhoun here, I wouldn’t disagree with you – it’s basically a wash – but I think getting a foot back into that Seattle pipeline is more important)

    Shabazz Muhammad – he’s the best player in the class. Forget the rankings. The kid is a program changer.

    Brandon Ashley – he’s much more naturally talented – and polished – than either Lucas or Jerrett.

    Isaiah Austin – it’s quite possible that he’s a one-and-done, but I doubt it. He’s not strong enough, and it’s highly unlikely he’ll become strong enough to play in the league in only 3 years. Either way, bringing in one kid who could potentially leave early every few years is not a bad idea. It’s nothing like what UK is doing. And with Zeke, the risk is well worth the reward.

    As I said, I love Murphy’s game, and if you substituted him for either one of the big guys I mentioned, I’d still be ecstatic. The notion that he could play the 1 or the 2 is a little far fetched, however. He’s definitely got some perimeter skills – he could be used at the 3 in some offenses – but by no means would you play him in the backcourt.

    This would be the Number 1 class in the country. And probably lead to multiple Final 4′s.

  4. Luke Says:
    July 25th, 2010 at 3:37 PM

    If there is any realistic chance Shabazz comes to Arizona, I’m not seeing it. While I expect us to get better and become more appealing to the elite recruits like Shabazz (meaning top 5-10, 5 star recruits) over the next couple years, I have a hard time seeing a guy like him turn down the likes of Kentucky, Kansas, Carolina and Duke unless we prove we can produce NBA lottery talent and make deep runs in the tournament. I think it’s possible it could happen within the next 2 years, but more than likely, I think we’re going to have to wait until the 2013 class before Arizona will be considered with the likes of Kentucky, Kansas, Carolina, and Duke like we were during the Olson era. By that time, I think Miller will have really proven he can send players to the NBA and that he can win big at Arizona. Those are the two factors that will convince the most elite recruits that Arizona is back.

    And again, I’m only talking about top 5-10, 5 star recruits. Miller obviously has proven enough to guys like Nick Johnson and Jahii Carson without producing NBA talent or making deep tournament runs at Arizona for them to seriously consider us. And if we are only able to get guys like that (top 40-50, 4 star recruits) over the next several years, I’m completely fine with that and I still think Miller will do great things here. He’s already proven he can do much more, with much less at Xavier.

    I guess I just wanted to remind myself that the program still isn’t quite at the level it was when Lute was here. I know I’m looking way too much into rankings (comparing 5 star to 4 star recruits is obviously completely subjective), but it was always a great feeling when we had a guy like Brandon Jennings, Jerryd Bayless, or Chase Budinger commit to us year after year. Obviously, those guys didn’t always pan out (a la JP Prince, Jawaan McClellan, or Mustafa Shakur), but the prestige that came along with those elite players was always nice.

    I know I probably sound like I want us to be a Kentucky and that I don’t appreciate what Miller is doing here, but that’s really not the case. Regardless of recruiting rankings and being considered “elite” and all that other superficial BS, I’m confident Miller is going to turn Arizona into a winner again, and ultimately, that’s all that matters. Whether he does it with 5 star recruits or 4 star recruits or 2 star recruits, as long as we win, I’ll be happy. It’ll just be a nice ego boost when we begin to get the national recognition and attention that comes with landing top recruits again.

    Alright, sorry. Rant over.

  5. George Says:
    July 25th, 2010 at 9:52 PM

    Muhammad has mentioned in multiple interviews that Arizona is still very much in it. And his decision is obviously a long way off. A lot can happen in that time. It definitely doesn’t hurt that Arizona is essentially in his back yard. I don’t think you can rule anyone out at this point. One thing’s for sure: It’s going to be interesting to watch it all play out.