University High’s Murphy to fulfill D-1 dream at UT Martin

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – History was made at University High on Monday afternoon, when AJ Murphy became the first Division I basketball signee in the school’s history.

The guard signed his National Letter of Intent in front of friends and family, as he heads to UT Martin to compete for the Skyhawks beginning this season.

“The coaches there, they really introduced me to the program with open arms, told me a lot about the plan they had for me and what they thought I could do to help improve their program,” he said. “And that all sounded really good to me, so I really wanted to go there.”

Murphy departs the Bucs’ program with more than 1,600 points and is second on the school’s all-time scoring list. He averaged 23 points, five rebounds, five assists and six steals as a senior in 2023-24 and was twice named an All-State performer at University.

Still, he knows there is room to grow his game at the next level.

“I would say I had to get a lot bigger,” he said. “The college game is a lot more physical and faster paced, so I just got to get up there and match their intensity and their physicality. But, I feel like if you can shoot the ball, you’ll be good anywhere you go. So, that’s really what I’ve been working on.”

The Skyhawks are scheduled to begin Ohio Valley Conference play on Thursday, December 19th at Morehead State.

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