Washburn basketball legend passes away

TOPEKA (WIBW) - Washburn Hall of Fame basketball player Ryan Murphy has died. He was 45. According to Washburn Athletics, Murphy passed away on Wednesday, July 9. Murphy graduated from Washburn in 2005 and was inducted into the Ichabod Hall of Fame in 2016.

Murphy was a member of Washburn’s basketball team from 1999 to 2003. He finished his career third in all-time points with 1,654 and fourth in all-time rebounds with 738. Murphy was a first team all-MIAA pick in 2003 as a senior after receiving second team all-MIAA honors in 2002 as a junior and 2001 as a sophomore. He was an honorable mention all-MIAA pick in 2000 as a freshman. He was part of three NCAA Tournament teams including national runner-up finish in 2001. Murphy is the Washburn Ichabod record holder with 132 career NCAA tournament points as well as 154 MIAA Tournament points.

Murphy is also one of 11 Ichabods with 1,000 points and 500 rebounds and was named the Ichabod team MVP as a senior.

He was inducted into the Washburn Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016.