Last Updated on July 19, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Trey Murphy III has developed into one of the league’s more dangerous perimeter threats, combining deep shooting range with the athleticism to finish above the rim. As his role has expanded, he has shown that he can contribute in multiple areas beyond scoring, making him an important piece of New Orleans’ long-term plans.

Here is detailed information about Trey Murphy III:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Kenneth Victor Murphy III
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born June 18, 2000
  • Hometown: Durham, North Carolina, USA
  • Height: 6’9″ (2.06 m)
  • Weight: 206 lbs (93 kg)
  • Wingspan:  7’0″ (2.13 m)
  • Shoe Size: Size 16 (US)
  • Number: #25
  • Position: Small Forward / Shooting Guard
  • High School: Cary Academy (Cary, North Carolina)
  • College:
    • Rice University (2018–2020)
    • University of Virginia (2020–2021)
  • NBA Draft: 2021, 1st round, 17th overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies (later traded to the New Orleans Pelicans)
  • Teams Played For:
    • New Orleans Pelicans (2021–present)
  • Championship Rings: None (as of 2024)
  • Kids: None
  • Siblings: Details about siblings are not widely publicized.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Trey Murphy III’s player archetype is a modern 3-and-D wing with real offensive scaling: a long, fluid floor-spacer who can defend multiple spots, stretch the floor, and punish defenses without hijacking possessions. At about 6-foot-8 to 6-foot-9 with a lean, athletic frame and near 7-foot wingspan, he fits defensively as a switchable wing stopper and help-side disruptor, while offensively he thrives as a movement shooter, transition finisher, cutter, and secondary scoring option who can attack closeouts, rise comfortably from deep, and add just enough off-the-bounce juice to keep his game from being one-dimensional.

Scouting Report

It’s easy to overlook how much of Trey Murphy III’s offense starts before he ever touches the ball. He has a feel for drifting into blind spots that forces defenders to make uncomfortable choices, and by the time they realize they’ve lost half a step, the catch is already on its way. Everyone notices the shooting, but the movement is what creates the shooting. He doesn’t simply sprint around screens; he’ll slow down, change pace, flatten his cut along the baseline or relocate behind penetration until the passing angle opens, and those little adjustments are what make him such a natural fit next to high-usage creators. The interesting thing is that closeouts rarely end the possession in the defense’s favor. He attacks them under control, takes long, balanced strides into the lane, and finishes with more length than power, or he’ll make the simple extra pass without forcing the issue. There’s enough comfort handling secondary pick-and-rolls to keep defenses honest, but asking him to manufacture difficult offense possession after possession takes him away from what he does best. Defensively, his value comes from how much ground he covers. His length allows him to bother pull-up shooters, contest at the rim from unexpected angles, and recover after helping at the nail without completely abandoning his own assignment. Bigger forwards can move him toward the basket and stronger drivers sometimes win the first point of contact, but he generally compensates by arriving with good timing instead of chasing blocks. To me, his ideal role is alongside a lead initiator who bends the defense first, giving Murphy room to weaponize his off-ball movement, spacing and timely straight-line drives rather than asking him to be the engine of an offense. There are flashes of Rashard Lewis in the combination of size and perimeter shooting, while his ability to stretch the floor, defend multiple actions and quietly punish every defensive mistake brings Mikal Bridges to mind, even if they arrive there through slightly different paths.

Player Insights

Trey Murphy III is on fire and the hottest player in the league right now. He’s been unstoppable since missing the start of the season with an injury. If he didn’t miss any games, he’d be a top 3 player today. He’s trending toward a top-10 finish if he can stay healthy. No player has played as consistently this year as Trey Murphy III. He’s one of the best outside shooters in the NBA. He’s also one of the best dunkers in the league after having starred in the 2023-24 NBA Slam Dunk contest. He’s not the same player as Anthony Edwards, but his overall value can be similar. 2/10/2024

Trey Murphy III has broken out during the 2024-25 NBA season and is now a star. I would have him as the number 1 or 2 option on a contending team. Whether the Pelicans can sort out their problems and be a contender is another story. There is a lot of talent on the roster today, yet they remain toward the bottom of the standings in the West. The problems may go deeper than just the players. That said, given Zion Williamson’s potential and Trey Murphy now a viable number 2, I think the Pelicans can surprise people heading into next season. 1/20/2025

Sources:
SB Nation — Why Trey Murphy III is the future of NBA’s ‘3-and-D’ archetype
The Ringer — The Ringer’s 2021 NBA Draft Guide
Peachtree Hoops — 2021 NBA Draft Scouting Report: Trey Murphy III
NBA Draft on SI — 2021 NBA Draft Profile: Trey Murphy III