Following their impressive Final Four journey, Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl focused on attracting top talent from the transfer portal. They successfully secured a significant addition from a rival conference.
On Tuesday, KeShawn Murphy, a junior forward from Mississippi State, officially announced his commitment to Auburn, as reported by Joe Tipton of On3Sports. Murphy had the option to return to Mississippi State and was also contemplating offers from Texas A&M, Alabama, and Ole Miss.
A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Murphy comes off a season in which he averaged 11.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. Mississippi State concluded their season with a 21-13 record and 8-10 in the SEC.
The team suffered a first-round defeat in the NCAA tournament to Baylor.
Auburn finished the season 32-6, reaching the Final Four before losing to the eventual national champions, the Florida Gators. Since that run, Pearl has actively sought out top transfer talent to strengthen a roster increasingly comprised of transfers.
The impact of transfer players, including Chaney Johnson, Chad Baker-Mazara, Denver Jones, and Johni Broome, was vital to their Final Four success.
Baker-Mazara recently re-entered the transfer portal last Wednesday.
Additionally, Auburn found itself among six finalists for highly regarded Maryland transfer guard Rodney Rice last Thursday. Auburn’s proven ability to maximize transfer talent makes it an attractive option.
Murphy not only brings valuable skill but also aligns well with Pearl’s recruitment strategy.
KeShawn Murphy: A desired addition for Auburn
Auburn is focusing on acquiring big men from the transfer portal, and Murphy, standing at 6’10”, has showcased his efficiency on both sides of the court.
He possesses scoring ability, ball-handling skills, and shot-blocking prowess. Pearl took note of Murphy’s talents while reviewing game footage prior to a January matchup against Mississippi State.
“The kid from Birmingham, who has really improved and is someone we noticed before, plays a bit at center, KeShawn Murphy has gotten better,” Pearl told the Auburn Observer. “KeShawn Murphy’s a great story; he went to Mississippi State, and we liked him a lot. We knew he was going to be a really good player.”
Murphy recorded over 60% shooting from the field, ranking among the SEC leaders in offensive rebounding percentage (16.8%) and defensive rebounding percentage (23.7%).
He also landed in the top ten for block percentage (5.8%).
With Broome declaring for the NBA draft, Murphy is positioned to fill that role, as Broome was a key contributor in Auburn’s frontcourt, excelling in both scoring and rebounding.
Murphy is poised to step into this critical position, given his impressive skill set.
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