Trey Murphy III has emerged as one of the NBA’s most versatile young forwards, blending size, shooting touch and defensive instincts into a role that has quickly become vital for the New Orleans Pelicans. Since being drafted Murphy has steadily expanded his scoring range, developing into a reliable perimeter threat while displaying instincts for rebounds and playmaking.
Trey Murphy III’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kenneth “Trey” Murphy III |
| Date of Birth | June 18, 2000 |
| Age | 24 |
| Education | Rice University (2018–2020), University of Virginia (2020–2021) |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Weight | 206 lb (93 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2021 |
| Net Worth | $14.78 million |
| Salary | $5,159,855 |
| Career Earnings | $14,779,415 |
| Wife/Husband | N/A |
| Instagram Profile | N/A |
| Twitter Profile | N/A |
Early Career
Trey Murphy III’s basketball journey took root in Durham, North Carolina, where he attended Cary Academy and quickly distinguished himself as one of the region’s most dynamic high school talents.
Standing at just over six feet by his junior year, Murphy combined a smooth shooting stroke with surprising athleticism and ball-handling flair for a wing player his size. During his senior season, he averaged well over twenty points per game, sank more than forty percent of his three-point attempts, and hauled in upwards of seven rebounds a night.
His scoring prowess and leadership helped Cary Academy capture key conference matchups, and by the time he graduated he owned school records for career points, field goals made, three-pointers buried, and free throws converted-milestones that underlined both his scoring versatility and his consistency on the court.
Despite intense interest from mid-major programs across the country, Murphy’s recruitment profile remained modest enough that he opted to join Rice University, a decision that would set the stage for his rapid rise at the collegiate level.
Murphy wasted little time making his presence felt. As a true freshman for the Rice Owls, he played in every game, starting once while averaging under nine points per contest. What stood out most that year was his three-point accuracy-he connected on more than forty-two percent of his attempts from behind the arc, shattering Rice’s freshman record for long-range efficiency.
His scoring came in bursts, punctuated by a career-high twenty-four-point outing against UAB that featured multiple deep bombs and perfect free-throw shooting. Coaches and teammates took notice of his work ethic, as he spent extra hours refining his shot and studying game film, developing a reputation as a cerebral player who could bounce between perimeter threat and secondary ball-handler.
Murphy’s sophomore campaign at Rice brought an even bigger leap. Now a full-time starter, he led the Owls in scoring at nearly fourteen points per game, drained seventy-plus three-pointers on the season, and contributed valuable rebounding and defensive stats.
His ability to surprise defenses with pull-up jumpers off the dribble, coupled with improved finishing at the rim, made him the focal point of Rice’s offense. He posted multiple twenty-point games, including a stretch of back-to-back outings in which he drilled five triples in each performance, earning Conference USA Player of the Week honors in November.
By year’s end, Murphy had established himself as one of the league’s most efficient two-way wings and drew early NBA draft buzz.
Professional Career
Trey Murphy III entered the NBA when the Memphis Grizzlies selected him with the 17th overall pick in the 2021 draft and immediately traded his rights to the New Orleans Pelicans. He signed a standard four-year rookie scale contract with New Orleans on August 10, 2021.
Murphy made his first NBA appearance on October 20, 2021, against the Philadelphia 76ers, contributing six points and two assists in limited minutes. During his rookie campaign, the Pelicans assigned him several times to their G League affiliate in Birmingham, giving him extra playing time to sharpen his defensive footwork and ball-handling skills while he continued to knock down three-point shots at an efficient rate.
Murphy averaged 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 13.9 minutes per game and led all rookies with a 38.2 percent three-point shooting clip. His ability to stretch the floor and switch defensively on multiple positions earned him a spot in New Orleans’s rotation late in the year.
When the Pelicans reached the playoffs for the first time since 2018, Murphy made his postseason debut on April 17, 2022, putting up six points, four rebounds and two assists in Game 1 of the first-round series against the Phoenix Suns. Though New Orleans lost the series in six games, Murphy’s poise and versatility in high-pressure moments signaled his promise as a building-block piece.
Murphy’s second season saw a significant uptick in opportunity and production. In 2022–23 he started 65 of 79 games and averaged 14.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 31.0 minutes per contest. He connected on 40.6 percent of his three-pointers and posted a 90.5 percent free-throw rate.
On February 5, 2023, he scored a then-season-high 30 points in a blowout win over the Sacramento Kings, showcasing his pull-up jumper and mid-range touch. He also participated in the 2023 Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend, thrilling fans by reaching the final round.
Just over a month later, on March 12, he erupted for a career-high 41 points against the Portland Trail Blazers, drilling seven threes and asserting himself as a legitimate scoring threat.
Trey Murphy III’s Net Worth Details
Trey Murphy III’s net worth is estimated to be $14.78 million as of 2025.
Contract
Murphy’s first NBA deal was the standard four-year rookie scale contract he signed with the Pelicans on August 10, 2021, worth about $14.78 million in guaranteed money and featuring team options on years three and four (both of which New Orleans picked up).
After steadily earning a larger role and posting career-high numbers in 2023-24, he locked in his long-term future with a four-year, $112 million extension on October 21, 2024, fully guaranteed and averaging $28 million per season from 2025-26 through 2028-29-underscoring the Pelicans’ belief in him as a cornerstone wing.
Salary
Murphy’s rookie-scale earnings climbed annually from $3,053,760 in 2021–22 to $3,206,520 in 2022–23 and $3,359,280 in 2023–24, before jumping to $5,159,855 for the 2024–25 season.
After that breakout year, he signed a fully guaranteed four-year, $112 million extension-averaging $28 million per year-and will be paid $25 million in 2025–26, $27 million in 2026–27, $29 million in 2027–28 and $31 million in 2028–29.
Career Earnings
| Season | Salary | Cumulative Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | $3,053,760 | $3,053,760 |
| 2022-23 | $3,206,520 | $6,260,280 |
| 2023-24 | $3,359,280 | $9,619,560 |
| 2024-25 | $5,159,855 | $14,779,415 |
| 2025-26 | $25,000,000 | $39,779,415 |
| 2026-27 | $27,000,000 | $66,779,415 |
| 2027-28 | $29,000,000 | $95,779,415 |
| 2028-29 | $31,000,000 | $126,779,415 |
NBA Career Stats
| Season | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | NOP | 62 | 1 | 13.9 | .394 | .382 | .882 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 5.4 |
| 2022–23 | NOP | 79 | 65 | 31.0 | .484 | .406 | .905 | 3.6 | 1.4 | 14.5 |
| 2023–24 | NOP | 57 | 23 | 29.6 | .443 | .380 | .815 | 4.9 | 2.2 | 14.8 |
| 2024–25 | NOP | 46 | 44 | 35.6 | .453 | .367 | .887 | 5.1 | 3.5 | 21.2 |
| Career | 244 | 133 | 27.2 | .454 | .385 | .874 | 3.9 | 1.7 | 13.6 |
FAQs
1. Who is Trey Murphy III?
Kenneth “Trey” Murphy III (born June 18, 2000) is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the NBA. Standing 6-foot-9, he operates primarily as a small forward known for his shooting range, defensive versatility, and all-around offensive skill set.
2. When and where was Trey Murphy III born and raised?
Murphy was born on June 18, 2000, in Durham, North Carolina. He grew up in a basketball-driven household-his father, Kenneth Murphy Jr., played at East Carolina University-which helped shape his early development through high school in the Raleigh area.
3. What colleges did Trey Murphy III attend and what were his stats?
Murphy began his collegiate career at Rice University, where he set a program freshman record by shooting 42.1 percent from three-point range. He then transferred to the University of Virginia for the 2020–21 season, averaging 11.3 points and 3.4 rebounds per game while shooting 50.3% overall, 43.3% from three, and 92.7% from the free-throw line.
4. How did Trey Murphy III enter the NBA?
Murphy declared for the 2021 NBA Draft. His combination of size, shooting, and defensive potential led the New Orleans Pelicans to select him with the 17th overall pick in the first round, marking the start of his professional career.
5. What position does Trey Murphy III play and what are his key skills?
Murphy primarily plays small forward but can also function as a shooting guard in smaller lineups. His most notable skill is his long-range shooting, where he consistently converts catch-and-shoot opportunities. He also brings strong off-ball movement, spacing, and improving defensive footwork to modern NBA rotations.
6. What are Trey Murphy III’s NBA career statistics?
Murphy has appeared in over 250 regular-season games, averaging approximately 13.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per contest. He shoots around 38.5 percent from three-point range and close to 87 percent from the free-throw line, underscoring his efficiency as an offensive contributor.
7. How has Trey Murphy III’s role evolved with the Pelicans?
Murphy started as a rookie with limited bench minutes, then earned a starting role in his second season. His playing time increased from under 14 minutes per game to over 31 minutes, reflecting the coaching staff’s growing trust in his scoring, spacing and defensive versatility.
8. What notable records and achievements has Trey Murphy III earned?
Murphy set Rice University’s freshman record for three-point percentage and joined the elite 50-40-90 shooting club at Virginia. In the NBA, he has ranked among the Pelicans’ team leaders in three-point field goal percentage, highlighting his sustained excellence as a sharpshooter.
9. How did Trey Murphy III’s family influence his basketball journey?
Growing up with parents Kenneth and Albeda Murphy in Durham exposed Trey to organized basketball early on. His father’s collegiate experience at East Carolina University instilled a strong work ethic and love for the game, guiding Trey through high school success and collegiate advancement.
10. In what ways does Trey Murphy III contribute beyond scoring?
Murphy’s off-ball movement and spacing enable driving lanes and better offensive flow for teammates. Defensively, he uses his 6-foot-9 frame and agility to contest perimeter shots and switch effectively across multiple positions, enhancing team defensive schemes.
