Many of you know by now that Alex Murphy is visiting Duke in an unofficial capacity today and BDN was on the scene at the Tournament of Champions to take in his play all weekend long.  It was the first we'd seen of him since watching him play in four games during last seasons AAU Nationals in Orlando, Florida.  Murphy improved and is starting to grow into his body and he averaged over 20 ppg during the tournament.  We'll get into his game a bit later but for now here is a

Q & A with Alex Murphy.  Part of this is a one on one mixed with a Q & A session with the media throng.   BDN's coverage of two major events will continue all week long and you can get immediate reports from the Nike EYBL  in Los Angles on our message board as well by joining BDN Premium.

When did you first start playing basketball?

Basketball has always been a part of my family growing up and all of my brothers play.  My Dad never forced us to play despite playing in the NBA.  My mom played for the Finnish National team, so it's in my blood and that's awesome.  It's what we do as a family and we can[private] all relate. [note to members - we will add the audio Q and A to this article shortly.  These were some additional questions we asked Murphy at a later time and more will be added.  Bare with me while I break in a new computer and get it set up and coordinated with the old one - thanks]

Style of play you prefer ...

I like to get up and down, run.

How important is immediate playing time to you?

Yeah, but I am willing to come in and help a program in any way possible. If I have to come in my freshman year and not play forty minutes a game, that's fine with me.  As long as I am becoming a better person and a better player, it's fine with me.

Will you take all five official visits before making a decision?

I have no idea.  It could happen and it might not.  I don't have a time table so when the time is right I will commit.

How are your academics?

I'm a strong student and like academics.  My school, St. Marks is a small school of three  hundred so we get special attention.

Do you want to follow your brothers footsteps to Florida?

Uh ... a lot of people say wouldn't you like to go to Florida and play with your brother, that'd be cool and others say don't you want to go and do your own thing, so I mean it's sort of like 50-50.

Is Erik happy with Florida?

Yeah, yeah.  He's definitely happy.  He's down there right now working out and in summer school.

Your team just won my the mercy rule but it seems the team is heading home?

We won and we would be playing in the championship game in the silver bracket but I'm actually staying to visit Duke tomorrow with my family.  We have to get back because our flight is at 5:00.

How do you feel your team fared this weekend?

We did well, we finished 5-1 I think ... it was a good team and a well coached team that beat us.  We came out a little bit flat and could've done better but it was a good weekend individually and as a team.

How was the visit with Duke set up?

Just from talking with the coaches, my family and the AAU guys.  I will meet with the coaches tomorrow morning over there and head right out after that.

And your list of schools?

Right now it's Duke, Florida, Arizona, Kansas, Syracuse, Butler, Iowa ... a bunch of schools I can't think of ...

Has Duke or Carolina offered you?

Duke hasn't yet not nor has Carolina.

[At this point his AAU coach came up and joked around]  That's my AAU coach.  [rolling his eyes]

Is UNC recruiting you as well? [Inside Carolina entered the conversation]

Yes, they are.  They've talked to my AAU coach buit I haven't heard a lot from them yet.  I think the interest is there, hopefully because Carolina is a good school, so ...

Do you pattern ypour game aftrr anybody? {Ken Tysiac News and Observer}

My favorite player in the NBA is Kevin Durrant.  He can do everything and I always liked him in high school.  Guys like that, Mike Dunleavy, Mike Miller ... a fairluy tall white guy that can shoot.

How tall are you? [Inside Carolina]

6-8, I'll probably grow a little bit more.  My brother my father and my mom, all of them are tall so it's in the genes.

What is the rest of the summer looking like? {Ken Tysiac, News and Observer]

I'll be out in Portland for a few weeks with the Adidas Nations.  I'll be doing a lot for work back home too.  July is busy with us going to Vegas, Chicago ....

What will you work on?

Definitely one thing I want to work on is getting stronger.  I weigh about 205 right now and to play at the next level strength is important.  Also my speed as well, I can get a little quicker and have more balance in my game.  Everything, I can improve on all aspects of the game.

Gabcast! Blue Devil Nation #0

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