Going to the basket like the pro he is

In 2001, as a college junior at Notre Dame, Troy Murphy left his academic career behind in the hopes of joining the National Basketball Association and pursuing a dream. Later that year, that dream—so elusive for so many—would come true when Murphy was drafted as the 14th pick in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft. After a solid 12-year career with many NBA teams, Murphy decided to leave behind basketball and finish his degree at Columbia’s School of General Studies. Max Rettig spoke with Troy yesterday, where he discussed his life, his NBA career and his academic ambitions. 

Max: What is life like for you at Columbia? The recent New York Times profile came out with the headline “A Big Man in the N.B.A., but Not on Campus at Columbia.” Do you feel that way? Do people recognize you, even though you’re trying to keep a low profile? Are you trying to keep a low profile?  

Troy Murphy: I think when I went back to school, one of the attractive characteristics about Columbia is the fact that they have this General Studies program where they have people from nontraditional backgrounds…so I fit that bill having a nontraditional background. I’ve just tried to immerse myself in the whole experience, and it’s been really interesting. A great learning experience and growing experience for me.

In terms of people knowing who I am, yeah, I think, some of the athletes knew I played basketball and stuff, so there were a fair amount.

M: How involved are you in the campus sports scene? Do you pay attention to the basketball team, go to games at all? You had a successful NBA career–do you consult for the basketball team at all? Do you have any connections with individual players?

T: Yeah, I’ve been to a couple games this year, and went to a couple games last year. I only started in January last year… I haven’t been to any NBA games since I was a player. I’d like to go, but schoolwork takes up a large amount of my time… On weekends, especially since football has ended, and they’ve put the NBA games on on Sundays and stuff, I’m able to catch those, so those are fun. I’ll catch those, and now that the playoffs are starting, I’m trying to tape the games and watch them a little bit.

I root for the teams I’ve played for, and for some of the guys I’ve played with. Rooting for Golden State—they’ve had an unbelievable year—and then I’m also rooting for Chicago in the Eastern Conference too, so I enjoy it as a fan now.

M: You last played for the Mavericks. How was playing for Mark Cuban?

T: It’s pretty cool. He’s really involved, more so than any other owner on any other team I’ve played for. He’s right there, he’s on the plane, you have direct access to him. He makes his presence felt. He definitely lets you know how he feels.

M: You were drafted in the same first round as some all-star players, namely Jason Richardson, Tony Parker, and Pau Gasol, as well as Jason Collins, the first openly gay player in the NBA. Do you have any thoughts on being part of such a successful and historical draft class? 

T: Yeah, I never really thought about it like that. I’m proud to be part of a draft class that had a lot of successful players. I know a lot of people give the 2000 class a tough time, so to be part of the 2001 class is probably better. ….we have guys that are still contributing in the NBA. I think Tony Parker was part of that class, Pau Gasol, it had some great European players. That was the year that a lot of high school guys came out and a first-time high school guy was picked number one, so it was a good class to be a part of, yeah.

M: Now that you’re out of the NBA, do you have any thoughts on the state of pro basketball today? What about the fans? 

T: I think the NBA is in a transitional period for the league, going from Commissioner [David] Stern to Commissioner [Adam] Silver. I think he’s done a terrific job in the short period that he’s been commissioner, and the game is in good hands and continuing to expand, and hopefully we’ll continue in that upwards trajectory.

…I think the fans in the NBA are really…it’s interesting to go to different cities to see different fans. You know, you have the typical New York fans who go to Knicks games, as compared to people that are in the Midwest or in L.A. or the Pacific Northwest. It’s a pretty interesting group, a lot of different people and personalities. Each city has a collective personality. It was fun to go be a part of that before the games.

M: You’re a sociology major. What got you interested, and what do you hope to do after graduating? Did you major in sociology at Notre Dame before leaving for the NBA? 

T: Yea, I was a sociology major at Notre Dame. It’s something that I’m interested in just because, especially at Columbia with the sociology program, and playing on all the different teams that I’ve played on each year, you could have the same group of guys, but the way the relationships can change—player to player, player to coach—is something that always interested me. The different roles people would take on a team and the way they would develop in those roles is something that always fascinated me. And then, coming back to Columbia, being able to study sociology in a city that’s so diverse, such as New York…it’s a great opportunity and something I’m lucky to be a part of.

M: Notre Dame, like Columbia, is a very strong school. Do you notice any glaring differences in the quality of education? Was it different at Notre Dame because of basketball, or were you expected to maintain the same quality of work as regular undergrads? 

T: It wasn’t shifted in any way. You were definitely held up to the same standard as any other undergraduate. You didn’t get any grades. They really pride themselves on a high academic standard, which is one of the reasons I was attracted to Notre Dame in the first place.

M: Do you have an opinion on schools that allow basketball players and other athletes to study dumbed-down curricula that make it easier for them to focus more on sports than on academics? Namely, the scandal at UNC? What are your thoughts on the NCAA? 

T: I think that’s a tough position for the NCAA, just because the NCAA has to put a restriction on the number, the age for when a guy can declare for the NBA draft. …I think to put age restrictions, it’s a difficult thing and a difficult topic. …I think an interesting perspective is something that Brandon Jennings took. He ended up getting drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks, and he wasn’t able to go straight from high school to the NBA, so he went and played in Europe. School obviously is not for everyone, but I think it’s something the NCAA has to look into.

As to what went on at some of these other schools, I don’t really know enough about it to speak to it.

M: What’s been your experience at Columbia so far? Do you feel like there’s a life for you on campus? You’re still an undergrad, so do you go to things like Bacchanal and the V-Show? 

T: No, I haven’t been able. …I’d like to, but the thing is I live downtown, so it’s kind of a hike getting up here, which is something that, if I could change anything about my experience at Columbia, I’d live closer to campus. Just because I finish up with school and I want to go back home, and I live down there and get involved in some work and the next thing you know, the day has kind of gotten away from you….The distance has prohibited me in ways from getting involved in things.

M: What’s your favorite class? One you’re looking forward to? Least favorite? 

T: …One of the more interesting ones was this class, Organizing Innovation, that I took last semester. It was about the different ways companies are structured in order to stay current in fast-moving markets. …studying the different ways companies are structured, in horizontal or vertical structure…because some of the teams I was on were more successful and structured in similar ways and were able to innovate on the fly during games or make adjustments, rather than teams that had a chain of command and could never make…an adjustment.

They’re all a challenge and I look forward to them all.

M: You’ve been very successful academically, recently making Dean’s List. How have you maintained that level of success, and has living far from school kept you distant from the pervasive stress culture that exists here? 

T:  Living downtown really hasn’t had an effect academically. I’m in various Columbia libraries probably an average of 3 hours a day, and well aware of the grind entailed with producing good work.

M: From your time in college sports and the NBA, you’ve dealt with the media a lot. Having been the subject of a Spectator article last year, and now a  interview, what are your thoughts on the Columbia student media? 

T: I think the student media on campus at Columbia are very good. There’s a larger presence than when I was at Notre Dame. I think a lot of that has to do with the increase in social media and all that. But I think they do a good job. I’m impressed with the student media at Columbia.

M: Is there anything you’re specifically looking to do at Columbia before you finish here? Do you plan to stay in New York City afterwards? 

T: Nothing in particular that I’m planning to do while I’m here. Just looking forward to taking my classes next semester and finishing. As far as staying in New York, I don’t know. I’m open to seeing different opportunities and what arises. I’ve always kind of been told where to go and what to do, and been traded, so it’s going to be kind of nice to have that freedom, I guess.

M: You have some very awesome life experience. Do you have any advice to offer fellow Columbians? 

T: The advice, I guess, would be to go for anything you might be afraid of. Everyone has insecurities and things that they’re afraid of, and to figure those things out and just go directly at them. If there’s something that makes you nervous, something that makes you unsure of yourself, that’s something you should try to attack. …The kids at Columbia are special. I couldn’t imagine going to school here right out of high school. The different skills it takes, the time management, the classes…It is a great school, but it’s tough, and to be 18-22 and doing it is a lot different than playing basketball then coming back and doing it.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Troy Murphy in his Lakers days via Wikimedia Commons