Former Chaminade University men's basketball player
Bennie Murray has joined the Newcastle Hunters of the Waratah Basketball League in Australia.
"It's a dream come true," said Murray, who received his degree in Psychology from CUH last spring. "As soon as I graduated, it was my goal. I had to wait a bit, but now it's here and I'm ready to go."
The Fairfield, Calif., native helped lead the Silverswords to a 19-11 record last season and a berth in the NCAA West Regional. He averaged 18.2 points per game, second only behind teammate
De'Andre Haskins for the team's scoring lead. Murray scored 871 career points during his two seasons with the 'Swords, ranking him among the school's top 20 career scoring leaders.
"I did a lot of coaching back home and have a lot of kids who look up to me," he said. "I want to set an example and show them with a lot of hard work and dedication and if you put your mind to it, you can do anything."
Murray will arrive in Australia later this week for training and will be with the Hunters in time for their WBL season opener in mid-March. He is hoping to use his time with Newcastle as a springboard to higher opportunities with other professional leagues such as National Basketball League, Australia's highest level of professional basketball. His former teammate at Chaminade,
Dominique Cooks, is currently playing for the Wollongong Hawks of the NBL.
"My goal is to continue to progress, become a better basketball player and get to the highest level I can get to," he said.
Murray joins Cooks and Haskins as former Silverswords from last year's team to play professionally. Haskins is currently with 71 Dudelange of the Diekirch League in Luxembourg.
