Murphy Picks Duke

New England Recruiting Report | Sunday, February 6th, 2011

Coach K landed his latest prized recruit on Monday morning and this time it came from New England's own Alex Murphy. 

The Rhode Island native and St. Mark's junior made a verbal commitment to Krzyzewski three weeks after taking an unofficial visit to the Duke campus to watch their game against Maryland. 

"I've had a feeling in my gut for a long time now," he said.  "It's an opportunity to play for a coach who I consider to be one of the greatest in college basketball history."

While Murphy said his recent visit only solidified his feelings, he wanted to take the time to come home and talk with those closest to him before officially pulling the trigger. 

"When I talked to Coach K at the end of that trip I knew that was where I wanted to be," he said.  "The reason I didn't do it right then and there was because I wanted to come home and discuss it with my familiy." 

Murphy has been a star since virtually day one of his high school career when he put up huge numbers for the Prout School in Rhode Island.  He transferred to St. Mark's the year after, having the opportunity to play side by side with his brother and current Florida forward, Erik Murphy. 

In the two years since, Murphy has solidified himself as one of the nation's very best in the class of 2012, blossoming into a highly skilled six-foot-nine swingman with explosive athleticism in the open floor, a phenominal feel for the game, and a history of raising the level of his game when the lights are on the brightest. 

Murphy had recruitment from a staggering number of the nation's most prestigious college basketball programs before cutting his list to seven this fall.  Ultimately, he selected Duke over Florida, Boston College, North Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Villanova.