Feature image via: Madeleine Clark
While Joel Murray might not have been Mandurah’s first choice of import this off-season, he’s more than lived up to the expectations placed on him since signing. He’s thrown himself into MVP contention while vaulting the Magic into the Finals race in NBL1 West.
After five successful seasons in college, where he was named to the NCAA All-Big West First Team in 2022 – the start of Murray’s professional career was held back by a 15-month wrist injury that stopped him from signing for a European team to make his professional debut.
When he was finally fit to play again, the Magic came calling. Their initial import target had suddenly become unavailable, and after quick conversations with head coach Mark Utley and then the club’s GM, he had become the Magic’s latest signing.
“It all happened so quickly. It all happened in less than 48 hours, 24 hours, to be honest,” he told NBL Media.
“I talked to them, signed with them, and then I was on a plane the next week. So it was quick, but we got it done though.”
After spending three years in Los Angeles, Murray said Western Australia has been the perfect place for him to start his career.
“It is kind of just like, they're one and the same, I would say in a way,” he said.
“But there are way fewer people and it's way more clean. So coming from LA and then coming here, just to be right next to the beach and always have good weather… the transition has been great, I honestly can't complain.”
While his transition off the court has been smooth, his transition to Australian basketball has been breathtaking.
Averaging close to 32 points per game, winning multiple Foot Locker Player of the Week awards and scoring 42 points and 50 points in back-to-back rounds, Murray has elevated the club to a contender for the title, and has led the Magic into the sixth seed heading into Round 9.
Murray credits his hot start to the season to coach Utley for maximising the talent on the roster around him, getting sharpshooter Jarrod Molnar open and setting up big man Michael Durr for easy baskets.
This early season success for Mandurah has seen the club embark on a massive turnaround from last season, where they finished with a dismal 2-20 record. Murray believes the spirit around the club has been elevated by the newfound success of the men’s program.
“We're doing what we have to do on the court and we're taking care of business,” he said.
“Just seeing the home games sold out and filled up, how rowdy it is and how excited other people are to see us doing well makes you just want to keep getting better, and keep giving them a good time and showing them that we're here to give back to the community.”
With the Magic last making the Finals in 2022, Murray believes this Mandurah squad has the ability to be the competition’s last team standing.
“I have a strong belief that Mandurah can win the championship,” he stated.
“So now we just got to go out there and do it. Just got to put in the work and take care of business and it'll be there for us.”
The Magic will host the Perth Redbacks on Saturday, streaming live from 7:00pm AWST live via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App.
