u Decision results from love for Notre Dame, teammates
By KATHLEEN O'BRIEN
Associate Sports Editor
Troy Murphy picked friends over fortune Friday and announced his decision to spend another year at Notre Dame with his teammates rather than pursue the riches that go with being an NBA lottery draft pick.
"In the end, it came down to that there are things that you just can't trade in for," Murphy said in a press conference Friday. "The experiences I have here at Notre Dame, the experiences I have with my teammates, are things that you can't trade in for, for anything really."
After Notre Dame's season ended March 30, the sophomore All-American explored his options with the help of his parents, head coach Matt Doherty, his AAU coach Tony Sagona, his teammates and NBA players such as Michael Jordan. Draft experts predicted Murphy would be picked between eighth and 15th in the NBA draft, guaranteeing him a multi-million dollar contract.
In addition to the 23 points and 10 rebounds per game that Murphy brings to the table, his return says mountains about the team's cohesiveness and chemistry. Murphy made his announcement with coaches and teammates in tow, commenting that he couldn't forgo either his time left at Notre Dame or his relationships with teammates and coaching stuff.
"The young man's turned down a million dollars," Doherty said. "That says a lot about what he feels about his teammates. Not only are we a better team with Troy, but the reasons he wanted to come back É he talked a lot about people here. He turned down a million dollars to come back and be a part of Notre Dame for another year."
The influence of Doherty, who flew in from a recruiting trip for the announcement, played a major factor in Murphy's decision to come back for his junior year. Although Doherty didn't want to force Murphy's hand, their close relationship tugged Murphy in Notre Dame's direction.
"The meetings with Coach Doherty, the time we spent talking about things, really made me see what I want to do," Murphy said. "I really feel comfortable with Coach Doherty, and I really like playing for him. He was definitely a reason why I wanted to stay in school."
Doherty tried not to sway Murphy too far in either direction, but helped him to choose by putting him in contact with Jordan and other NBA players like Pat Garrity and Raef LaFrentz, as well as seeking out information from agents and draft experts. The first-year head coach placed a premium on maintaining the close bond he forged this season with Murphy, regardless of his decision to stay or go.
"My biggest fear in the whole deal is that he doesn't think, his family doesn't think, that I'm trying to sell him," Doherty said. "Do I have an opinion? Yes, but I want to have a good relationship with Troy Murphy when I'm 60, 70 years old. I don't want any of our guys to think I made a decision on their careers for my sake."
Irish players like David Graves and Harold Swanagan were more than willing to provide their buddy an open ear. After Notre Dame's season-ending loss, the two sophomores stayed up until 4:30 a.m. hashing out Murphy's future with him before the team's trip back to South Bend.
"We talked a lot in New York after the Wake Forest game," Graves said. "I really never had talked to him about it before. I kind of wanted to keep it to him, but then in New York, it seemed like there were a lot of things on his mind. Me and Harold and him were in the room and we sat down and talked about it for a good hour. We talked and we just waited. We said everybody, especially Coach Doherty, is going to try to get you to stay, but I was like, this is your dream. You've got to look at it seriously."
After Murphy carefully considered the possibilities, he came to the conclusion that he couldn't renege on the promise he, Graves and Swanagan had made as incoming freshmen. They made a pact to restore Notre Dame basketball to its glory days, a goal that is still in the making and one Murphy wanted to help fulfill.
Murphy's decision wasn't set in stone until Thursday, when he relayed his decision to Doherty by phone and several teammates in person. Yet his choice didn't come as a surprise to his friends.
"I think he just wanted to be a kid for a little bit longer," Swanagan said. "I wasn't really surprised because his demeanor and the way he acts, he acts like a kid, so I figured he wanted to stay in college."
Not everyone felt as assured that Murphy would return. Close friend and freshman guard Matt Carroll wavered back and forth in second-guessing the decision.
"At first, I started thinking, he's out of here," Carroll said, "And then some days I'd think, well we have so much fun together and we have so many things to look forward to. Why would he leave. He has everything he could want here. But then again, how could he pass that [the NBA] up?"
When Murphy asked for Carroll's advice, Carroll tried to put himself in Murphy's shoes. In doing so, he thought he would opt to stay at Notre Dame.
"If I was you, I think I would stay," Carroll said. "I'm not saying this for selfish reasons for me and the team. I'm just saying this for your sake. You have everything you could want here. What more could you want? You're going to play in the NBA, you're going to be a lottery pick, no matter what. What's one more year of having fun? You can't take this back, and I think he realizes that."
When push came to shove, Murphy agreed.
"I love Notre Dame," Murphy said. "I love my teammates."
He brushed aside dreams of donning a NBA jersey to keep the team together. And although playing in the NBA remains one of Murphy's top goals, that's for another day, another year.
So the 19-year-old will stay in school and be a kid for at least one more year. One more year of Morrissey Manor dorm life and eating at South Dining Hall. One more year of hanging out with the guys and 4:30 a.m. flights back to South Bend. One more year of suiting up for the Irish and aiming for a NCAA Championship.
With Murphy now penciled into the starting lineup, the Irish return all but one starter, and add All-Big 12 forward Ryan Humphrey to the mix. This year's NIT championship runner-ups could make a run at the 2001 or 2002 NCAA Championship in the manner of Michigan State a week ago. The Spartans were led to the title by Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson, seniors who weighed the same decision as Murphy a year or two ahead of him. Maybe the Irish will get the same results — at least that's what Murphy and Co. hope.
"I think we can be a great team next year," Murphy said. "I think we'll be at the top of the Big East and the top of the country. We're a young team and we have a lot of guys coming back. I think we can accomplish great things with this group, and I look forward to a great year next year."
All Sports Stories for Monday, April 10, 2000
