In 2003 like any other year, a lot was happening in the sports world in the United States. In baseball, Sammy Sosa continued to clobber baseballs left and right out of stadiums as he hit his 500^th, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers whipped the Oakland Raiders 48-21 in Super Bowl 37, but it was sports basketball and ice hockey that really left the New York metropolitan area proud as two New Jersey teams had terrific seasons. The New Jersey Devils won their third Stanley Cup in history after winning their second only 3 years earlier in a exciting 4-3 series win over the Anaheim Ducks while basketball team New Jersey Nets who would move to Brooklyn in 2012 lost to the San Antonio Spurs 4-2. It was a very exciting period for sports fans and probably had many new young boys at age 8 or 9 finding new sports hero´s like Patrik Ellias or Scott Gomez of the Devils or Jason Kidd or Richard Jefferson of the Nets. However not every little boy was on the playground shooting hoops from dawn to dusk on a Saturday in Brooklyn, New York as Kamari Murphy actually was indoors playing video games. Back in 2003 there were some great and popular games like Ratchet and Clank or Beyond Good &Evil that could of held little guys from spending their time on the play ground for hours. So not every kid discovers their love to basketball at the age of 7 or 8. Who knows where Kamari Murphy would be today if a slightly annoyed step father hadn´t pulled the plug on him playing video games. Making that jump from video games to basketball wasn´t any easy one for the American especially if you feel like your being forced to play. He had never played much and simply didn´t have any skill set. That finally came to him as he played in a youth organized league. The coaches did a good job helping him to learn the game and with that so did a slow craving for the sport. On top of that he lived in a violent area and it was often said you had to be a performer/entertainer or jock to get out of there. Basketball saved his life and the rest is history as Kamari Murphy has carved a nice professional basketball overseas. He traded the joystick for the basketball and can´t complain today. Even 17 years later, you never totally lose the interest of having that joystick in your hands again. His ex teammate Josh Young remembers what interested Murphy off the court last season  “We definitely had other teammates that were more interested in playing video games but Murph for sure was one of the guys who played as well”, stressed ex teammate Josh Young of Rasta Vechta. Today Kamari Murphy balls for the Fraport Skyliners and is featured in the ex teammate scouting report Josh Young Vs Kamari Murphy.

            Murphy was born on December 14, 1993 in Brooklyn, New York and is a 27 year old 203cm forward and is the second oldest of six boys with Jacori, Kusamae, Maalik, Mikwan and Kieron. He continued to develop his game in high school at / Lincoln High School playing for head coach Dwayne Martin averaging 17ppg, 10rpg as a senior. This school produced future NBA stars like Stephon Marbury, Sebastian Telfair and Lance Stephenson. He was the 6^th best player in New York in 2011. Before going to the NCAA, the American decided for one more season of fine tuning and attended  IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida averaging 20ppg and 10rpg. After being recruited by schools like Miami, UConn, Missouri and Florida, he chose Oklahoma State where he played 67 NCAA games from 2012-2014 averaging 3.8ppg, 4.0rpg as a freshman and averaged 6.1ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 53.6%, FT: 57.1% as a sophomore. In his freshman year he scored 13 points against Virginia Tech and 12 points against Tennessee Tech while in his second season he scored 12 points against Kansas and 10 points against Butler, Robert Morris, Texas and Louisiana Tech. He wanted to go to Miami initially, but turned it down because of the Nevin Shapiro booster scandal. Two years later, he changed his mind and finished his last 2 years at Miami averaging 5.6ppg, 6.0rpg, FGP: 53.4%, FT: 55.8% as a junior and as a senior averaged 7.1ppg, 7.3rpg, FGP: 51.1%, FT: 60.9% reaching the NCAA Sweet 16.In his junior year he scored 11 points against Buffalo, Notre Dame and Charlotte. In his senior year he had a 16 point 10 rebound effort against Syracuse, scored 15 points against Clemson and had 14 points and 10 boards against Wofford. The American finished his 2 year NCAA stay at Miami with 740 points, 769 rebounds (241 offensive / 528 defensive), 114 blocks, 79 assists and 51 steals in 3,219 minutes. 

            He turned professional in 2017 and had his first taste of how the NBA works playing at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, NV (Brooklyn Nets) playing 4 games averaging 1.5ppg, 3.5rpg. He played his rookie season with the Long Island Nets (NBA G League) playing 50 games averaging  10.4ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 28.1%, FT: 70.6%. He had more of an offensive role with Long Island scoring in double figures in 23 games and had 8 double doubles. His best games occurred against Wisconsin scoring 22 points in the 109-105 victory, 21 points in the 115-99 win over Ft Wayne and 20 points in the victories over Reno and Raptors. In the summer of 2018, he played NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, NV again (Brooklyn Nets) playing 5 games averaging  5.0ppg, 4.6rpg, FGP: 35.7%. In his second professional season he had a very short stay with Filou Oostende (Belgium-Euromillions League) before coming back home and suiting up for a second season with the Long Island Nets (NBA G League): playing 51 games averaging  8.5ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 25.4%, FT: 73.1%. He scored in double figures in 20 games and registered 6 double doubles. He put up a 25/12 game against Canton and had a 22/10 game against Lakeland. Last season after 2 years in the G-League, the Brooklyn native came back to Europe and stayed until COVID-19 hit playing with Rasta Vechta (Germany-BBL) playing 21 games averaging  5.5ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 51.5%, 3PT: 23.5%, FT: 72.0%; and played 12 BCL games averaging  6.1ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 47.8%. With Rasta Vechta, the American was teammates with 32 year old 185cm guard Josh Young who is playing his 11^th season in Germany and 5^th in Vechta. The Oklahoma native has seen many many players in his basketball career and gives his personal scouting report and memories he had with Kamari Murphy last season.

            Anybody that has followed or knows Josh Young the last years knows that he is a team player and leader and a guy that sprouts positive energy in any locker room. He is a guy that can get a long with any teammate and it wasn´t any different with Murphy. Last season they were teammates and this season opponents as Murphy will suit up with the Fraport Skyliners. “Murph is my guy. I’m happy he’s back in Germany playing and nice to be in a great city, program like Frankfurt”, stressed Josh Young. Murphy is one of those players that can bring it at both ends of the court on a consistent level. But it isn´t anything special on offense or defense that Young appreciated most, but moreover the attitude he brought to work day to day. “The thing I appreciate the most is his willingness to compete. Whether it’s blocking shots on the defensive end or making plays on the offensive side”, added Josh Young. He had some good games in the BBL scoring 13 points against the EWE Baskets and hauling down 10 boards against Wurzburg and in the BCL league scored 15 points against Anwil and 11 points against Bandirma and Pau Lacq Ortez. Last season BBL fans already got to experience his game and it isn´t any different this season as he brings that multifaceted game every night. “He’s a very versatile player who has tremendous athletic ability. His ability to guard 1 through 5 make him a big asset. He also can run the floor very well and is extremely mobile. At times, he will step out to the three and stretch the floor as well”, added Josh Young. Last season the American played with highly talented and touted head coach Pedro Calles who moved to the Hamburg Towers this season. Murphy couldn´t have played for a better head coach in his first season overseas in terms of being able to adapt and develop further in the easyCredit BBL. “Pedro is going to get the best out of his players and he demands a lot. Murph as well anyone who has played for him has benefited in that. He helps bring out the best in the strength of his players”, remembered Josh Young.

            Now Murphy has a new challenge with the Fraport Skyliners in his 4^th professional season and second in Germany. He has joined a traditional organization that has had some growing pains the last 2 years missing the playoffs. Reaching the playoffs probably won´t be any easier this season, but he has a role and performs it to the best of his ability. He is in good company in the front court sharing space with Michael Kessens and German Marco Voeller. “He will fit in well in Frankfurt. He and Kessens know each other and can compliment one another. With someone as physical as Voller, it makes for a good combination”, warned Josh Young. Currently he is averaging 7,6ppg and 3,9rpg. He isn´t the big time scorer and won´t need to be with the Skyliners as they have enough of that, but will add his expertise in other areas for head coach Sebastian Gleim. “On the offensive end, his ability to create separation out of the pick and roll mixed with athletic ability to finish is definately one of his biggest strengths.”, stressed Josh Young. Murphy will most likely showcase his athleticism on a daily basis as well making those showtime plays that he also displayed with Rasta Vechta last season. The only difference now will be that Young will only be able to remember the acrobatic plays in a Vechta uniform as now he will be on the other end seeing him do it in a Frankfurt uniform. “I remember connecting on a lot of alley oops out of a cross screen play we’d run for him. He was always able to go upstairs and get it”, said Josh Young. He has already made huge dunks this season for Frankfurt. Another positive basketball trait that Murphy brings to Frankfurt is his passion that he showcases after a big play. “I used to enjoy Murphs celebrations during the game, after a dunk or one of his teammates makes a big play. He plays with a lot of emotion and I think that’s clear to anyone who watches him on the court”, warned Josh Young. Murphy is an enrichment to the Fraport Skyliners and will give the club a lot of joy on the court. If he continues to play video games with his teammates the way he did in Vechta is possible. His main focus is basketball and helping the Fraport Skyliners be as successful as possible, but if he really needs to get away from basketball for a moment, then he can always find a good video game mate in Quantez Robertson