Overview

Phillip "Red" Murrell (February 23, 1933 – December 20, 2017) was an American basketball player best known for his collegiate success in the 1950s. Born in Linneus, Missouri, Murrell earned recognition as a high-level scorer and competitor during his college years and in amateur basketball circles thereafter. His performance at Drake University earned him long‑term recognition, including the retirement of his jersey number.

College career and achievements

Murrell's college-era accomplishments spanned junior college competition and four seasons at Drake University, where he played from 1955 through 1958. Early in his career he was part of a team that won an NJCAA championship in 1955. At Drake he became one of the program's most prominent players of the era; the university later retired his No. 33 in honor of his contributions to the team.

Notable honors

  • NJCAA champion (1955)
  • Distinguished collegiate career at Drake University (1955–1958)
  • AAU All‑American recognition (1960)
  • Drake University jersey No. 33 retired

Style of play and impact

Contemporaries described Murrell as a skilled offensive player with a reliable scoring touch and a competitive approach to the game. He played during an era when college basketball was expanding in popularity, and his success at the collegiate and amateur levels helped raise the profile of his programs. His AAU All‑American honor in 1960 reflected continued excellence after his college years.

Later life and legacy

Following his playing career Murrell remained a respected figure among former teammates, coaches, and fans. Drake University's decision to retire his number is a lasting institutional acknowledgement of his impact on the program. He died on December 20, 2017, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, from coronary artery disease at the age of 84. His life is remembered by those who follow mid‑20th century college and amateur basketball history.

For more information about the institutions and organizations connected to Murrell's career, see the linked references to his hometown, college, and medical condition above: Linneus, Missouri; Drake University; Bartlesville, Oklahoma; and medical context at coronary artery disease.