Eric Murdock was named the Scarlet Knights’ Director of Player Development on June 21, 2010. A New Jersey native, collegiate All-American and NBA veteran, Murdock focuses on the development of life skills via peer exercises, mentoring programs and schedule management.
“The focus of our program is not just to develop basketball players, but to build successful people,” said head coach Mike Rice at the time of the appointment. “Eric is a great fit for this position. He is a self-made individual with the life experience to communicate effectively with our young men. Through hard work and determination, Eric’s been able to answer many challenges. He will serve as a tremendous resource for our players.”
After playing professionally for 11 seasons, Murdock has been active on the Garden State youth basketball scene in recent years. An AAU coach since 2007, he served as the head boys’ basketball coach at the Pingry School in Martinsville, helping the Big Blue to a 17-win season in 2005-06. Named the Somerset County Sportsmen of the Year in 2006, he has also remained active with the Eric Murdock Foundation, a non-profit children’s organization that provides scholarships to children and families in need.
Drafted 21st overall by the Utah Jazz in the 1991 draft, Murdock competed nine seasons in the NBA. He played for the Jazz (1991-92), Milwaukee Bucks (1992-95), Vancouver Grizzlies (1995-96), Denver Nuggets (1996), Miami Heat (1997-98), New Jersey Nets (1999) and Los Angeles Clippers (1999-00). Murdock led the Bucks in assists and steals in 1992-93 and his 603 assists was the third-highest in Bucks’ single-season history at the time. His best year as a pro came during the 1993-94 season, when he appeared in 82 games (76 starts) and averaged 15.3 points, 6.7 assists and 2.4 steals. His 2.4 steals-per-game ranked fifth in the NBA.
In his NBA career, Murdock played in 508 games and scored 5,118 points. He also competed in Italy for Teamsystem Bologna (1996-97) and Virtus Bologna (2002-03).
Recognized as one of the most complete and versatile guards in the history of the BIG EAST Conference, Murdock set the NCAA career steals mark with 376 during his tenure at Providence College. Nicknamed “The Man of Steal” for his production, the mark still ranks third in the NCAA record books.
The third all-time leading scorer at Providence with 2,021 points, Murdock is second among three-point shooters, third in free throws, sixth in assists, second in steals and 29th in rebounding in the school’s record books. His senior year at PC was especially notable. Not chosen to any of the three BIG EAST postseason all-league teams as a junior, Murdock was a First Team All-American, one of the nation’s top scorers, BIG EAST scoring champion, Eastern Player of the Year and earned the USBWA’s Most Courageous Player Award. He had 12, 30-points-or-more scoring nights (three over 40) and played in the East-West All-Star Game.
Born June 14, 1968, Murdock was one of 10 children raised by his grandmother in Bridgewater. He went on to star in football, baseball and basketball at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, leading the Panthers to a state group championship on the hardwood.
Murdock, who earned a bachelor of arts in American Studies from Providence in 1991, resides in Bridgewater. He is the proud father of a 16-year old son, Eric, Jr.
