Before the 2022–23 season got underway, Chico State men’s basketball head coach Greg Clink said of incoming guard Jojo Murphy: “He’s a dynamic player with the ability to score and create scoring opportunities for others.” As Wildcat fans found out Saturday at Acker Gym, Clink was not overselling the true freshman. Murphy provided the lion’s share of the Chico State offense Saturday in the Wildcats’ 64-55 victory over Stanislaus State, and his heroics on the hardwood make him the latest Wildcat of the Week.
Murphy, a product of Oakland’s Piedmont High School, was Saturday’s high scorer in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) opener for both Chico State and Stanislaus State, posting 17 points, with three of this six field goals coming from behind the 3-point line. The guard also pulled down eight rebounds and snared three steals in helping the Wildcats stop a two-game mini-losing streak and improve to 2-3 on the season.
Murphy’s outstanding showing comes on the heels of his 23-point performance November 19 against Academy of Art.
Five games into the season, Murphy leads the Wildcats in scoring, with his average of 14.8 points a contest ranking 11th in the CCAA. Murphy is tied for the team lead with eight steals, and is second in assists and 3-pointers.
Murphy and the Wildcats face a pair of CCAA conference opponents this week, taking on Cal State LA Thursday and Cal State San Marcos Saturday at Acker Gym.
