We’ve reached the point in the high school season when things begin to shift. Despite all the preseason competition, holiday showcases, and subplots throughout, this time is arguably as exciting as any period in the year. Each game has playoff implications. All kinks should be figured out, and teams should be hitting their stride. However, this is also the stretch when folks start paying attention to blossoming prospects. Although there are a lot of young pieces throughout the area, it feels like more people should be talking about Mason Murphy and his blossoming identity. Let’s take a closer look…
It’s no secret that Murphy has been a notable prospect since his middle school days, but it appears that he’s starting to rapidly progress. Before diving into his steady emergence, let’s look at his production from his freshman year to his sophomore year:
2024-25: 10.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.9 SPG, and 0.7 BPG with 35/20/65 splits; 16-10 record
2025-26: 21.2 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 0.7 BPG with 57/25/64 splits; 14-5 record
The raw numbers speak for themselves. Murphy was already ahead of his peers as a freshman but has now separated himself even more, both in terms of production and team success. The totals are impressive, but his insane leap in efficiency is what arguably stands out the most. Should his three-point percentage follow his overall field goal percentage, then we are talking about a legitimate matchup nightmare.
That being said, Murphy is already a real problem for opponents. His combination of size, skill, and athleticism makes him a highly versatile piece on both ends of the floor. Murphy handles the ball well for his size, which allows him to effectively operate as a creator for himself and others. He’s growing as a playmaker but already sees the floor well and makes smart decisions with the ball in his hands. Murphy utilizes his length and strong frame to physically overwhelm opponents as a finisher, rebounder, and defender across multiple positions. Although he still has considerable upside remaining, the strides that Murphy has made in twelve months should have the attention of college coaches and national media outlets.