Last Updated on September 10, 2024 by Mathew Diekhake

Here is the detailed information about Calvin Murphy, a former professional basketball player:

  • Full Name: Calvin Jerome Murphy
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: 75 (born May 9, 1948)
  • Hometown: Norwalk, Connecticut, USA
  • Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
  • Weight: 165 lbs (75 kg)
  • Wingspan: 5 feet 10 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 9 (US)
  • Number: Wore jersey number 23
  • Position: Point guard
  • High School: Norwalk High School (Norwalk, Connecticut)
  • College: Niagara University (1967–1970)
  • NBA Draft:
  • Selected 18th overall in the 1970 NBA Draft by the San Diego Rockets (who became the Houston Rockets)
  • Teams Played For:
  • San Diego / Houston Rockets (1970–1983)
  • Accolades:
    • NBA Career Accolades:
      • NBA All-Star: 1979
      • Hall of Fame Induction: Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993
      • NBA All-Rookie First Team: 1971
      • NBA Record Holder (former): Held the NBA record for highest career free-throw percentage at the time of his retirement (89.2%)
      • Career Points: Scored 17,949 points in his career (17.9 points per game average)
      • Free-Throw Percentage Leader:
      • Ranked in the top 10 for free-throw percentage in numerous seasons
      • Houston Rockets Franchise Records:
      • Holds the Houston Rockets’ franchise record for most points in a single game (57 points, set in 1978)
      • Most consecutive free throws made: 78 (a team record and one of the longest streaks in NBA history)
    • College Career Accolades:
      • Niagara University:
      • Consensus All-American: 1969, 1970
      • Averaged 33.1 points per game during his college career at Niagara University
      • Led Niagara to the 1970 NCAA Tournament
      • Niagara University Hall of Fame Inductee
    • Career Highlights:
      • NBA All-Star (1979)
      • One of the greatest free-throw shooters in NBA history, finishing his career with a 89.2% free throw percentage, which was an NBA record at the time of his retirement.
      • Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.
      • Known as one of the best free-throw shooters in NBA history.
      • Despite standing at just 5’9″, Murphy is regarded as one of the greatest small players in basketball history.
    • College Career:
      • Murphy was a college basketball legend at Niagara University, where he averaged 33.1 points per game over his three-year varsity career.
      • His scoring and leadership helped lead Niagara to the NCAA Tournament in 1970.
    • Post-Playing Career:
      • After his playing career, Murphy became a longtime broadcaster for the Houston Rockets.
      • Known for his larger-than-life personality and contributions to the Houston community.
  • Kids: Calvin Murphy has 14 children with multiple women, and his family life has been widely reported.
  • Siblings: Information about siblings is not widely reported

Murphy’s achievements on the court, coupled with his historic free-throw shooting ability and his impact on the game, solidified his place in basketball history. Calvin Murphy is widely remembered for his extraordinary skills as a scorer and free-throw shooter despite his relatively small stature. His fearlessness and skill made him one of the best point guards of his era. Murphy was known for his speed, scoring ability, and toughness, despite being one of the shortest players to ever play in the NBA.