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
As of 2026, Trey Murphy III’s net worth is estimated to be $14.78 million.
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. What is Trey Murphy III’s nationality and main NBA position?
Murphy is an American basketball player who plays primarily as a small forward and shooting guard, celebrated for his shooting efficiency and athleticism in the NBA.
2. Which NBA team drafted Murphy, and what teams has he played for?
She was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2021 and immediately traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, spending her professional career with the Pelicans since entering the league.
3. Where did Murphy play college basketball and what were her notable accomplishments?
She played at Rice University before transferring to the University of Virginia, excelling as a three-point shooter and helping her team to a conference championship appearance.
4. What are Murphy’s NBA career highlights and milestones so far?
Murphy achieved career highs with twenty-plus point performances, ranked among league leaders in three-point percentage, and participated in the NBA All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest.
5. What strengths make Murphy an asset to her NBA team?
She is known for elite catch-and-shoot ability, defensive range, off-ball cutting, and finishing above the rim, bringing valuable spacing and versatility to New Orleans’ offense.
6. How do coaches and analysts describe Murphy’s playing style?
Coaches value her consistent shooting mechanics, work rate, and ability to guard multiple positions, while analysts highlight Murphy as a prototype for modern wing roles.
7. Has Murphy overcome any injuries or setbacks during her career?
Murphy returned from minor injuries and absences, adjusting quickly and restoring her high shooting percentages, remaining a reliable member of the Pelicans’ rotation.
8. What are some career-best statistical achievements for Murphy?
She posted individual seasons with over 40% three-point shooting, consistently averaged double-digit points, and became one of the Pelicans’ leaders in minutes played.
9. What off-court contributions or interests does Murphy have?
Murphy supports youth basketball outreach in both Virginia and New Orleans, participates in charity events, and promotes academic balance alongside athletic commitments.
10. What are Murphy’s goals and potential going forward in the NBA?
Murphy aims to become a consistent starter, contend for three-point shooting accolades, and help New Orleans make deep playoff runs over the coming seasons.
