Members of the Basketball Hall of Fame are in Naples for a charity golf event. Several Hall of Fame players went to local high schools to conduct clinics. I went to Immokalee High School to see
Calvin Murphy, only 5'9", the shortest member of the Hall of Fame.
Calvin Murphy, only 5'9", the shortest member of the Hall of Fame.
Calvin grew up in Norwalk, Connecticut. His mother was a professional basketball player and a professional baton twirler. In the eighth grade, Calvin won a national baton twirling championship. In high school, he set all state basketball records, scoring 66 points in the championship game.
Calvin went to college at Niagara, averaged 33 points a game and was a three-time All American. But, because of his height, he was not drafted into the NBA until the second round. Still he became the Rookie of the Year, played 13 seasons for the Houston Rockets, averaged 18 points a game,
set a record with 78 consecutive free throws, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1993.
After retiring, Calvin Murphy joined the Houston Rockets' television broadcast team. His talk this week was about P.R.I.D.E. — positivity, respect, intelligent decisions, dedication and
effort in education. He stressed avoiding peer pressure and drugs.
effort in education. He stressed avoiding peer pressure and drugs.
17 comments:
I had to Google baton twirler. Keeping away from drugs is always a good advice. Nice write-up about the former basketball star.
What a wonderful role model.
Jack, very nice. A little photo profile.
Went to college nearby...saw him play at Niagara a couple of times. He was good but no Maravich. What that guy could do with the roundball was jaw-dropping.
What a history. I was especially interested that his mother was a basketball player. What a treat to get to see this great man!
I'm trying to imagine how men of 7ft height would play golf. Very long-shafted clubs I suppose. Anyway it's good to see a former sportsman working with youngsters. I can see from his body-language that he's passionate about what he's doing.
what a great story!
We had a similar thing here, a while back now but his name was Ricky Grace, the shortest member of our WA Wildcats basketball team, such a good scorer, which goes to show I guess that size doesn't always matter :)
I do not know the man, but what he has accomplished is great, and what is doing now is even greater!
What an incredible man and what a terrific post!! Thank you so much for sharing this, Jack!! We could use a lot more people like this man!!
I love that kind of story and that kind of person, Jack! Inspiring for everyone.
He sounds like an exceptional role model.
I'm sure he made quite an impression on these kids. What a great event.
Great shots.
Nice! What a great opportunity for those students to hear from Calvin. I hope they absorbed every word he had to offer.
Obviously a good guy, driven to succeed and now helping others. I just wonder if you can measure how much impact his current work has.
I love basketball, this must have been an interesting lecture.
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