New signing: Derek Murphy is set to join the Shepparton Gators this season. Photo: Florida Tech
He is a 198cm versatile guard from Detroit — and he is coming to Shepparton.
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Derek Murphy will join Shepparton Gators in 2023, with his sights firmly set on helping the club secure the Big V Division One basketball title.
Boasting a resume that includes a college career at Florida Tech, a spell at The Basketball League side Detroit Hustle and most recently plying his trade in Luxembourg for Basket Racing, Gators basketball co-director Stephen Beks is confident Murphy will have a positive impact on the club.
“We had a difficult decision on whether we tried to keep the list exactly the same, but the reason we’ve gone down the path with Derek is he’s a 25-year-old, he’s a super athlete and he’s a workhorse,” Beks said.
“We were looking at someone that we could have here long-term, someone that could be part of the Gators program for probably two, three, four or five years.
“And obviously he had to fit into the culture that we created as well.”
Set to replace last season’s American import, Garrett Jefferson, Murphy will have big shoes to fill, with Beks saying that while he plays a similar game to his predecessor, he will be playing a lot more minutes.
Boasting an average of 13.79 points and 5.5 rebounds a game throughout his 91-game college career, Murphy upped the ante in Luxembourg with an average of 24.5 points a game and 12.2 rebounds last season.
Key man: Murphy will be aiming to set the Swamp alight this season. Photo: Florida Tech
Pencilled in to arrive in late January, Beks said the talent ticked “all the boxes,” with his community-minded attitude a good fit for the Gators
“His numbers are really good, but first and foremost he’s a team player,” he said.
“It’s not about individual scores for Derek, which is what we’re all about.
“His college coach couldn’t speak highly enough of him, he had no hesitation of recommending him.”
The American will join New Zealand import Josh Kooiman in the Gators’ squad, with an intense pre-season set to start in the coming weeks.
Friends with the Gators’ 2022 import Dyl Wilkie, Kooiman is a point guard who is also predicted to blend in well with the team.
“It’s just a matter of players gelling on court, chemistry, that sort of thing,” Beks said.
With new signings on board, further development off the court and a passionate fan base behind them, 2023 is well and truly shaping up to be a big one for Shepparton Gators.
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