Charles C. Murphy

Considered mammoth for players of his era, the 6-foot-6-inch Charles “Stretch” Murphy was a dominating rebounder whose outlet passes allowed Purdue to pioneer a revolutionary running game. Rated among the nation’s best defensive players, Murphy was also a dominating offensive force. At Purdue, Murphy’s quick and accurate outlet passes to fellow Hall of Famer John Wooden triggered Hall of Fame coach Ward Lambert’s uptempo offense. In 1929, Murphy set a Big Ten conference record by scoring 143 points and added 137 points the following season. Murphy captained the 1930 Purdue team that went undefeated in the Big Ten and 13-2 overall at a time when teams were playing fewer than 20 games in an entire season. After college he played professionally for the Chicago Bruins and Indianapolis Kautskys. Stretch was one of basketball’s first great big men.