Top 12 Best Murray State Basketball Players

#12: Garrett Beshear (1948-1951)

• Position: Forward
• Height/Weight: 6’4″, 190 lbs

Garrett Beshear was a versatile forward who made significant contributions to the Murray State basketball program in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He was known for his scoring and rebounding abilities, helping lead the Racers to successful seasons during his tenure. 

Beshear was named to the All-OVC team and remains a respected figure in Murray State basketball history.
After his college career, Beshear continued to be involved in basketball and remained a prominent figure in the Murray State community.

#11: Bennie Purcell (1949-1952)

• Position: Guard
• Height/Weight: 5’9″, 160 lbs

Bennie Purcell is one of the most beloved figures in Murray State basketball history. He averaged 15.5 points per game during his senior season and was known for his excellent shooting and ball-handling skills.  

Purcell was named to the All-OVC team and later had a successful coaching career at Murray State, further cementing his legacy with the program. Purcell’s contributions to Murray State basketball extend beyond his playing days, as he has been a key figure in the program’s history and development.

#10: Dick Cunningham (1965-1968)

• Position: Center
• Height/Weight: 6’10”, 245 lbs

Dick Cunningham was a dominant force in the paint for the Murray State Racers. He averaged 19.9 points and 15.3 rebounds per game during his senior season, showcasing his ability to control the game from the inside. 

Cunningham was a two-time All-OVC selection and remains one of the best big men in Murray State history. Cunningham was selected 21st overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 1968 NBA Draft and enjoyed a solid professional career, including winning an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1971.

#9: Gary Hooker (1969-1971)

• Position: Guard
• Height/Weight: 6’2″, 180 lbs

Gary Hooker was a standout guard for the Murray State Racers in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He averaged 18.4 points per game during his senior season and was known for his scoring ability and tenacious defense. 

Hooker was named to the All-OVC team and played a pivotal role in the Racers’ success during his time.
Hooker went on to have a successful career playing basketball internationally, where he continued to be a scoring threat and a key player for his teams.

#8: Glenn Green (1989-1993)

• Position: Guard
• Height/Weight: 6’0″, 170 lbs

Glenn Green was a dynamic guard for the Murray State Racers. He averaged 14.2 points, 5.3 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game during his senior season, leading the team to the NCAA Tournament.

Green’s quickness, playmaking ability, and leadership were crucial to the Racers’ success during his tenure. He was named to the All-OVC team multiple times. After his college career, Green played professionally overseas, where he continued to showcase his skills and make an impact on the court.

#7: Joe Fulks (1941-1943)

• Position: Forward
• Height/Weight: 6’5″, 190 lbs

Joe Fulks, known as “Jumping Joe,” is one of the pioneers of modern basketball. During his time at Murray State, Fulks was a dominant force, known for his scoring and athleticism.  Although statistical records from his era are limited, Fulks’ impact on the game was significant. He helped lead the Racers to successful seasons during the early 1940s.

After his college career, Fulks joined the Philadelphia Warriors in the Basketball Association of America (BAA), where he revolutionized the game with his jump shot. Fulks led the league in scoring and was a two-time BAA champion. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978.

#6 Jeff Martin (1985-1989)

• Position: Shooting Guard
• Height/Weight: 6’5″, 185 lbs

Jeff Martin was a prolific scorer and one of the most talented players in Murray State history. During his senior season, Martin averaged 23.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, leading the Racers to the NCAA Tournament. 

He was a two-time OVC Player of the Year and earned All-American honors. Martin finished his career as the all-time leading scorer in OVC history with 2,484 points. Martin was selected 31st overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 1989 NBA Draft and played professionally in the NBA and overseas. His scoring ability and impact on the court remain legendary at Murray State.

#5: Marcus Brown (1992-1996)

• Position: Shooting Guard
• Height/Weight: 6’3″, 185 lbs

Marcus Brown is one of the most decorated players in Murray State history. During his senior season, Brown averaged 26.4 points per game, leading the Racers to the NCAA Tournament.  He was a two-time OVC Player of the Year and earned All-American honors. Brown finished his career as Murray State’s all-time leading scorer.

Brown went undrafted in the NBA but had a highly successful professional career in Europe, becoming one of the top American players in European basketball history. He won multiple championships and individual awards, showcasing his scoring prowess and leadership.

#4: Isaiah Canaan (2009-2013)

• Position: Point Guard
• Height/Weight: 6’0″, 201 lbs

Isaiah Canaan was a prolific scorer and leader for the Murray State Racers. During his junior season, Canaan averaged 19.0 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game, leading the Racers to a 31-2 record and a second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament. 

He was a two-time OVC Player of the Year and earned All-American honors. Canaan finished his career as one of the top scorers in Murray State history. Canaan was selected 34th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2013 NBA Draft and has played in the NBA and overseas, known for his shooting and scoring ability.

#3: Popeye Jones (1988-1992)

• Position: Power Forward
• Height/Weight: 6’8″, 250 lbs

Popeye Jones is one of the most dominant big men in Murray State history. During his senior season, Jones averaged 21.2 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, leading the Racers to the NCAA Tournament. He was a two-time OVC Player of the Year and earned All-American honors. Jones finished his career as Murray State’s all-time leading rebounder.

Jones was selected 41st overall by the Houston Rockets in the 1992 NBA Draft and enjoyed an 11-year NBA career, known for his rebounding and defensive skills. He has also worked as an assistant coach in the NBA, continuing his impact on the game.

#2: Cameron Payne (2013-2015)

• Position: Point Guard
• Height/Weight: 6’1″, 183 lbs

Cameron Payne was a standout player for Murray State, known for his scoring and playmaking abilities. During his sophomore season, Payne averaged 20.2 points, 6.0 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game, leading the Racers to a 25-game winning streak and the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) quarterfinals. 

Payne was named the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Player of the Year in 2015 and earned All-American honors. Payne declared for the NBA Draft after his sophomore year and was selected 14th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2015 NBA Draft. He has since played for multiple NBA teams, known for his scoring off the bench and his contributions in key moments.

#1: Ja Morant (2017-2019)

• Position: Point Guard
• Height/Weight: 6’3″, 175 lbs

Ja Morant is widely regarded as the best player in Murray State history. During his sophomore season, Morant averaged 24.5 points, 10.0 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game, becoming the first player in NCAA history to average at least 20 points and 10 assists in a single season. 

He led the Racers to the NCAA Tournament in 2019, where they pulled off a stunning upset over Marquette in the first round, thanks to Morant’s triple-double performance. Morant was named a consensus All-American, won the Bob Cousy Award as the nation’s top point guard, and earned the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Player of the Year award. Additionally, he led the NCAA in assists per game in 2019.

Morant declared for the NBA Draft after his sophomore year and was selected 2nd overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2019 NBA Draft. He quickly made an impact in the NBA, earning the Rookie of the Year award in 2020 and establishing himself as one of the league’s most exciting young talents.