Episode Transcript
All right, welcome back. A little offseason edition of the Locker Room Access podcast. We have a very special guest all the way from Auckland, New Zealand—I hope I said that right—former National Champion there in 2017-2018, and averaged almost 18 points a game in the NBL. So we’ve got T. Murray. But before we get to T., a couple of sponsors I want to shout out.
Number one, Dealiyo. If you haven’t seen them on our forum, they are the platform where student-athletes and brands can connect. That’s how we got Tay on here. We’re gonna do a deal when he’s in the Bahamas coming up, and Dealio helps create the contract, get it all set up, and make sure it’s above board on both sides. So check that out if you’re a student-athlete or a brand. Dealio is where deals get done. Make sure you check them out.
And we have one more other sponsor from our longtime friend Wesley at True Blue Pools. They’re the pool doctor, and it’s in Lexington, Kentucky, but they do offer a ton of pool supplies, pool chemicals, and pool equipment. End of the summer, there’s a bunch of maintenance you probably have to do if you have a pool, so make sure you check them out at TrueBluePoolsLex.com.
And we will get to our guest here. T., appreciate you jumping on, man.
T. Murray: Thank you very much for having me, and thank you for sitting through that long, long-winded intro. But, you know, you know the deal.
Host: Let’s start with you. Obviously, New Zealand is a long way from home, but what got you into basketball when you were at home?
T. Murray: Yeah, I’d say what got me into basketball was probably just my friends. Yeah, nothing kind of too crazy—just obviously my friends playing growing up. At lunchtime, we would have trainings and those kinds of things, and I just developed a passion for the game. I played rugby and basketball all through primary and intermediate school. It probably wasn’t until Year 10, which I think is like Grade 9 or Grade 10 here, that I decided to take basketball pretty seriously. But yeah, I guess that’s how I got into hoops.
Host: What was the moment that made you say, “All right, I want to do this for real”? Was there something that made you think that, or was it just a natural progression?
T. Murray: Yeah, I think it was probably a little bit natural. Part of the reason was juggling multiple sports. I think I wasn’t able to fully focus on basketball, which I obviously loved the most. And I think once I focused on basketball a little more, I saw that I was getting better. I guess that probably accelerated the decision to just play basketball by itself. Yeah, I’m super happy that I made that decision.
Host: Was there someone or a team that you were watching that kept you motivated and in tune with basketball?
T. Murray: Yeah, funny enough, we get NBA and American sport coverage in New Zealand, but probably the pro basketball team in New Zealand, the New Zealand Breakers. I’m sure everyone who’s listening probably knows Jack Salt. He was with them as a development player when I was quite young. They’ve had some amazing, successful players from New Zealand and also imports as well—guys like CJ Bruton, Mitchell, and others who played down there. So yeah, that’s probably the team that I followed the most.
Host: Was there a particular player that you modeled your game after, whether in the NBA or NBL?
T. Murray: I’d say a New Zealand player, Cory Webster, who was born and raised in New Zealand. He’s just the ultimate pro. He’s played all around the world—EuroLeague, China, New Zealand, Australia. He’s played everywhere. And yeah, just someone who I looked up to. The way he plays is pretty special, and I’ve been fortunate enough to get to know him as a teammate and a friend as I’ve gotten older.
Host: And when you played in the NBL, that was for the Auckland Huskies, was it?
T. Murray: Yes, that’s right.
Host: How was that experience? How old were you when you started?
T. Murray: That was my last year of high school. It was during COVID, and we were fortunate in New Zealand to not have any COVID cases, so they decided to have a six-week league similar to the NBA bubble, but on a smaller scale. I wasn’t expecting to play in it, but I had the opportunity, and it was awesome. Lots of pros and players who usually play overseas were in New Zealand, so it was a lot of competition. ESPN signed a deal to broadcast it, which really helped with my recruitment as well, so I’m super fortunate that I had that opportunity.
Host: Speaking of recruitment, you averaged 17 points that season. What was it like being recruited? Who were you hearing from, and what were your thoughts during that process?
T. Murray: My recruitment started naturally with smaller schools. My freshman and sophomore year, some Division 2 schools and different level schools came down to New Zealand. Then in my junior year, I started hearing from Division 1 schools, which was pretty cool. University of Portland was the first school that offered me. Then towards the end, I was looking at schools like Stanford, Creighton, Maryland, and probably Virginia were some of the few that we really considered. I’m super happy with the decision I made to come to Virginia.
Host: Did Jack Salt help you in that process? What did he tell you?
T. Murray: It was during COVID, so there wasn’t too much socializing going on—it was all on Zoom. But Jack was a huge influence, and Kirk Penny as well, who was at Virginia for a year. I’ve been fortunate enough to train with him a little back home before Virginia even reached out. Having both of those guys being part of the program and coming from the same place as me, it was awesome to have their help.
Host: Did those two give you comfort in making the decision to come so far from home?
T. Murray: Yeah, for sure. They are great human beings. Hearing what they had to say about Coach Bennett and the program was super reassuring for me and my family. Everything they said was the truth, and I’m super grateful for their influence on my decision.
Host: You mentioned recruitment, and you hear all the time about style of play—“it’s slow, it’s boring.” Did that stuff come up at all when you looked at UVA?
T. Murray: I feel like all schools have different aspects; I wouldn’t say positives or negatives. But the more we looked into it, the areas I needed to get better at—defense, playing more in a system—it just ticked all the boxes. Some people may see it differently, but we saw it as an opportunity for me to grow in so many areas that I needed to address. It’s been awesome to be part of the system and learn from Coach Bennett.
Host: What about the national championship? How much did seeing that affect your decision? Were you aware of Virginia when you watched the national championship?
T. Murray: Yeah, with Jack, there was a lot of hype. I didn’t really know much about Virginia at that point; I just knew Jack played there. But seeing that performance was amazing. With Kyle Guy being back and seeing some of the guys from that team coming back in the summer, it’s awesome to see and have so much respect for what they did for this program.
Host: You get to Virginia. How many times had you been to the U.S. at that point?
T. Murray: I’d been to the States a few times for different tournaments and camps, but just for a few days or a week at a time, mostly on the West Coast. The furthest I’d come was Chicago. But yeah, the first time I arrived in Charlottesville was the first time I’d been here, and it was pretty crazy in itself.
Host: What was your initial thought when you got to Charlottesville?
T. Murray: Honestly, I didn’t have any expectations. I really didn’t know what to expect. I’d seen the facilities and the amazing campus, but I was just blown away by everything. Even simple things like having your own court 24/7 was amazing for me.
Host: Was there a “Welcome to Virginia” moment for you, maybe in practice?
T. Murray: I wouldn’t say there was one specific moment where I was shocked. Everything in itself was just a huge transition, both on and off the court. My first year, I was the only freshman, but when Igor joined when school started, it was great to go through everything together. I’m super grateful for him, and we’re still really close.
Host: In your first season, 2021, what were your expectations? Did you think you would come in and light the place up, or were you more subdued?
T. Murray: To be honest, I didn’t have too many expectations in terms of minutes or points. I was just trying to take each day as it came and help the team when called upon. I understood that in other systems, freshmen might play more, but I was realistic about the process.
Host: You averaged 17 or 18 points a game the year before. Was there a big adjustment in terms of style of play?
T. Murray: Yeah, I think so. In New Zealand, we don’t have the mass volume of people, so the athletes you see here are on a different level. The athleticism and speed, especially in ACC play, were big adjustments. Even things like playing in front of a packed JPJ were huge adjustments.
Host: Was it one of those things where the time you have to make a decision shrinks a lot, and now you’re like, “Crap, I have to make this decision a lot faster than I’m used to”?
T. Murray: Yeah, I think that’s right. People talk about the style of play at Virginia, but it’s universal at this level—you have to make decisions quickly.
Host: The Iowa game sticks out in all the fans’ heads as the “Taine game.” What do you remember about that night, and what did it do for your confidence?
T. Murray: That was awesome. I love to play basketball, and it can be hard sitting on the bench, trusting the process. But having the opportunity to play was awesome. I really enjoyed it. It goes unnoticed, but guys like Kihei and the older guys helped put me in positions to score. That was awesome, especially playing against guys like Keegan Murray.
Host: After that game, did you think, “This is it; now I’m going to be the star,” or did you think, “I’ve got a lot to work on”?
T. Murray: I didn’t try to get too ahead of myself. I understood it was just one game, and there was a lot of season left. It showed that the things I was working on were getting better.
Host: Did you see that type of game coming in practice?
T. Murray: I approach every game the same, so I wouldn’t say I changed anything in particular. I was just fortunate that I was shooting the ball well, and my teammates were putting me in positions to succeed.
Host: In that first year, playing time was up and down. How did you stay positive through those times when you weren’t sure where you fit into the rotation?
T. Murray: I just tried to trust the process. I have the utmost respect for Coach Bennett and the coaching staff. Everyone loves to play, but I’ve really tried to learn from the guys in the program and address areas that need improvement. I’ve seen improvements each year, and I’m excited for this upcoming season to piece it all together.
Host: Is there a game that stands out to you as a learning experience?
T. Murray: Probably the NC State game at JPJ that we won in overtime. That was one of the best atmospheres I’ve been a part of at JPJ. It’s hard to describe to my family and friends back home how amazing it is to play at JPJ with our fans. That game was a big one for us.
Host: You also had a great game in the other NC State game in the ACC tournament last year. How was that atmosphere?
T. Murray: On a personal level, if you told me as a kid I’d be playing in the Wizards’ arena, I’d probably laugh or wouldn’t believe you. That was awesome. We had a close game against Boston College and pushed through, but it was tough losing to NC State.
Host: One of the narratives since the national championship has been that Virginia can’t get it done in the postseason. How do you respond to that?
T. Murray: I can only speak for myself, but I don’t think we pay much attention to the media or expectations. We approach every game to win. Winning in March is our goal, and we’ve tried to address that. We’re aware of the fact that it’s a goal, and we’re all working hard to achieve it.
Host: What do you do as an individual to prepare for the next season after falling short in the tournament?
T. Murray: We have our meetings with the coaching staff, and we think about what we need to get better at to help the team win. We put a plan in place with the coaching staff and grad assistants to work on those things. Virginia does a great job of developing players, and I’ve seen growth in between seasons.
Host: Walk me through this past offseason. What have you been working on?
T. Murray: I’ve been continuing to improve my slides on the ball and my shot. Last season was my most consistent year of shooting, so I’ve been trying to build on that. I’ve also been working on all aspects of my game.
Host: Now that we’ve got our MVP back—how has that transition been with Kyle Guy as a coach?
T. Murray: It’s been awesome. He came for a little bit in the summer with his family, and he’s been back in practice this past week. His presence and the way he brings to this program are really cool. I haven’t gotten to know him as well as I’d like, but the time I have spent with him has been great. He has so much knowledge and experience, and it’s invaluable for us as players to have people like him around.
Host: Do you have any personal goals for this upcoming season?
T. Murray: I have personal goals, but overall, I’m just trying to be the best I can be for this team. We have a really special group, and I’m just trying to help make this team better in any way I can.
Host: Everyone is curious about this upcoming season. What have you seen from some of the new guys, like Jaylen Warley?
T. Murray: It’s been awesome having Jaylen join as a senior. He’s a great defender, can go in transition, and get downhill, which is his biggest strength. He’s a versatile guy who gets everyone involved and is just an awesome guy to be around and play with.
Host: How do you see him fitting in?
T. Murray: He’s super versatile, and I think he can play one through four. I’m not sure exactly how he’ll be utilized, but I imagine it will be in many different aspects.
Host: How about Elijah Saunders?
T. Murray: Elijah’s been great. He can do a little bit of everything—pick and pop, shoot the three ball, and he’s super physical. He’s a great addition for us and brings a lot of experience.
Host: What about Jacob Cofie?
T. Murray: Jacob’s been awesome. He’s versatile—can shoot mid-range, and the three, and roll hard to the rim. He’s going to be a big part of this program, and he’s just a joy to be around.
Host: How about D’Asia?
T. Murray: D’Asia’s been super cool. He’s a great point guard, a lefty who can get downhill, shoot, and has a great handle. He’s another awesome addition who goes hard when it’s time to play.
Host: What are your thoughts on the new guys coming in, especially in key positions like point guard?
T. Murray: Losing guys like Reese and Ryan to the league is huge, but the new guys bring a different look and versatility. They’re bringing unique aspects to the team, and I’m excited to see how it all comes together.
Host: What about Ishaan Sharma?
T. Murray: Ish has been great. He’s from Canada, so it’s cool to have another international guy. He’s a great shooter and can put the ball on the floor. He’s another player who I think will be a big part of this program moving forward.
Host: And what have you seen from redshirt freshman Anthony Robinson?
T. Murray: Anthony feels like he’s been here forever with his redshirt year. He’s got an amazing body, super big, and he’s just gotten better over time. He’s very athletic and a lob threat, so he’s definitely going to bring a different look.
Host: Any comparison for him in terms of playing style?
T. Murray: I think he’s pretty unique. He’s got a big body but moves really well—super coordinated, dunking, and finishing. He’s developing a shot too.
Host: How about TJ Power?
T. Murray: TJ’s a great guy, and on the floor, he’s really versatile. He can shoot, put the ball on the floor, and play out of the post. He brings a lot of leadership and experience, even though it’s only his second year. I’m really excited to play with him and see him grow.
Host: Do you think he has a chip on his shoulder from not getting much playing time at Duke?
T. Murray: I don’t want to speak on his behalf, but he’s been super professional and excited to compete. I think he’s going to have a big role with us.
Host: How about Christian Bliss?
T. Murray: Christian’s been great. He’s had some injuries, which I think have been frustrating for him, but I think by the time the season comes around, he’ll be on the right track. He’s super controlled, has a great handle, and gets other people involved.
Host: What about Carter Lay, the Charlottesville native transfer?
T. Murray: Carter’s been a great addition. It’s awesome to have him here, being from Charlottesville, and I think it’s really cool for him to come back home. He’s a great teammate, and I’m excited to be with him this year.
Host: This is a lot of newcomers—probably the most in a long time. What are your thoughts on working together and expectations for the season?
T. Murray: It is a lot of new people, but once everyone gets together, you figure out this is our team. We’ve had a lot of time together over the summer and fall, so by the time the season starts, I think we’ll be super close and ready to go.
Host: How do you feel this team stacks up relative to previous years?
T. Murray: Every year has been different, with different looks as guys transition in and out. I’m really excited about this year. There’s a lot of versatility in this team. It’s still early in finding our identity, but everyone’s excited about what we’ve seen this summer, and we’re working hard to put our best foot forward.
Host: Of the returning guys, how are they looking? Anyone surprise you?
T. Murray: I think everyone who returned has gotten better. We’ve all been working really hard this offseason. The returning guys are trying to share our knowledge and help everyone get on the same page. Everyone’s made big jumps in their game.
Host: On a lighter note, what are you going to wear this season sneaker-wise?
T. Murray: Last year, I wore the same shoes every game—they were green GT Cuts, which aren’t really a signature line. I really liked those shoes, so if I can find a new pair, I might wear those again. I haven’t thought too much about it, though.
Host: Off the court, what about style-wise? Is there anything you’re venturing into?
T. Murray: I love the Locker Room Access stuff, especially the hoodies in the winter. I’m not really into anything in particular, just activewear a lot.
Host: I see the guys rocking fashion brands and doing the post-game fits now. Do you prep for that, or do you not care?
T. Murray: I give it a little thought, but I wouldn’t say I’m a fashionista like some of the other guys on the team. It’s changed a few things in my time here, for sure.
Host: With NIL and Deia, we’ll be working together more, especially when you’re in the Bahamas. We’ve lined up some deals for you, like True Blue Pools and Deia. We’ll also do an LR deal and get you some more. We’re big fans, wishing you nothing but the best this season.
T. Murray: Thank you very much. I appreciate all your support and for having me on here today.
Host: Make sure you like and subscribe below if you want to hear more. Maybe we’ll have T. on again later in the season to catch up with him. Otherwise, we’ll catch you on the forum. Thank you again.
