Former Drake basketball All-American 'Red' Murrell dies at 84

The Des Moines Register

Phillip “Red” Murrell, an All-American forward during Drake basketball’s heyday, has died after a long battle with heart disease. He was 84.

Murrell might perhaps best be remembered for two things: his 51-point performance against Houston on March 3, 1958, to set the school’s single-game scoring record; he was also the first player at Drake to have his jersey retired (he wore No. 33).

Phillip “Red” Murrell, an All-American forward during Drake basketball’s heyday, passed away recently after a long battle with heart disease. He was 84.

Murrell was born in Linneus, Missouri, and earned his nickname because of his red hair. The 6-foot-4 Murrell played for three seasons at Drake after a year at Moberly (Mo.) Junior College. He initially enrolled and played in Missouri, but enlisted in the Army and spent a year stationed in San Francisco.

While in Des Moines, Murrell scored 1,657 points and averaged 22.7 per game. He was the program’s all-time leading scorer until Josh Young passed him in 2010. He was a two-time all-conference selection, set eight other program records and earned third-team All-America honors in 1957-58.

Phillip "Red" Murrell was became the first player at Drake to ever have his jersey retired (he wore No. 33). Murrell died recently at age 84.