Calvin Murphy
Inducted:
1993
Player Stats
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
165 lb (75 kg)
Born
May 9, 1948
Norwalk, Connecticut, U.S.
Position
Point guard
College
Niagara (1967–1970)
Calvin Murphy remains one of the most remarkable figures in basketball history, proving that elite talent transcends physical stature. Standing at just 5 feet 9 inches, he spent his entire thirteen-year professional career with the Rockets franchise, transitioning with the team from San Diego to Houston. He was particularly legendary at the free-throw line, where he once held the record for the most consecutive successful shots.
Throughout the 1970s and early 80s, he was the heart of the Rockets' backcourt, consistently outperforming much larger opponents through sheer agility and skill. His durability and scoring prowess led him to become one of the franchise's all-time leaders in multiple categories. For his groundbreaking career as the shortest player to dominate the modern era, Murphy was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.
Murphy's Awards and Honors
- Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (1979)
- 23 Jersey Retired by the Houston Rockets
- 3× NCAA All-American (at Niagara)
- 23 retired by Houston Rockets
- 2× Consensus first-team All-American (1969, 1970)
- One of the shortest players ever inducted into the Hall of Fame
NBA Records
- NBA All-Star (1979)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1971)
- 2× NBA Free Throw Percentage Leader (1981, 1983)
NBA Teams
San Diego / Houston Rockets (1970–1983)
NBA Draft
1970: 2nd round, 18th overall pick
San Diego Rockets
Number Worn
23
NBA Stats
Seasons:
13 (1970–1983)
Games Played:
1,002
Points:
17,949 (17.9 ppg)
Assists:
4,402 (4.4 apg)
Steals:
1,165 (1.5 spg)
Blocks:
51 (0.1 bpg)
FG %:
48.2%
FT %:
89.2%
Playoff Game:
51