In recent years, Auburn has made a killing with their talented frontcourts, from Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler to recent dominance from Johni Broome. Perhaps the next chapter for Bruce Pearl’s program is being written this week, as the Tigers have landed KeShawn Murphy in the transfer portal.
A 6-foot-10 forward out of Birmingham, Alabama, Murphy began his collegiate career in the SEC at Mississippi State. His first two seasons saw him in more of a backup role for the Bulldogs, though his talents weren’t exactly wasted as a reserve. He put up decently efficient numbers, though he hasn’t really grown at all as a long-range shooter.
BREAKING: Mississippi State transfer forward KeShawn Murphy has committed to Auburn, he tells @On3sports.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 15, 2025
The 6-10 junior from Birmingham averaged 11.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game this season. https://t.co/RBz2hZLM3Z pic.twitter.com/huHL2Sbnqg
Auburn lands Mississippi State transfer KeShawn Murphy
His career took a measured step forward this past season, earning additional minutes as a more important piece in Mississippi State’s rotation. Despite starting just three times, Murphy appeared in every game and averaged 11.7 points and 7.4 rebounds for the Bulldogs. He finished in the Top 10 in the SEC in total rebounds as well as two-point field goals while also continuing to develop as a shot blocker.
This junior season began with Murphy as a starter, but he settled more into a sixth-man-type role with the Bulldogs. He scored a career-high 20 points in a blowout win over Pittsburgh in early December and had a few double-doubles early in the season. Two more of those fine performances would come when most needed, including an 18-point, 13-rebound effort in February against eventual national champion Florida.
On the surface, Murphy’s numbers don’t jump off the page but it’s all about what this forward can do in Auburn’s system. We mentioned those names that have turned into stars in the Auburn frontcourt and Murphy has the raw talent to be a big piece this upcoming season. After all, he made just under 61% of his shots inside the arc and has legitimate talent as a rebounder and shot blocker, impacting the game on multiple levels.
It’s all about putting that all together and becoming an important piece of the puzzle at Auburn. Broome and center Dylan Cardwell are both gone and they aren’t the only prominent names that the Tigers are hoping to replace in the portal this offseason. Murphy is a great first step, with his size, strength, and experience in the SEC. He joins a portal class that also includes talented former UCF guard Keyshawn Hall but will likely include other prominent frontcourt names in the coming weeks.
The addition of Murphy is not a straight replacement for Broome, but he has the capability to match some of Broome’s production. It would be improper to expect Murphy to completely match those numbers, especially after three years as an SEC reserve, but Auburn expects Murphy to live up to his billing as a productive frontcourt weapon who can score, rebound, and play strong defense. The next question for Pearl and his staff is who’s joining him in this portal class?