Lizanne Murphy

Biography

The highlight of Lizanne Murphy’s career thus far came on Canada Day in 2012 when the women’s national team qualified for the 2012 Olympic Games – fitting for someone who has wanted to represent the country since watching the Olympics on TV as a child. Murphy first competed internationally at the 2005 Universiade. She gained more multi-sport Games experience at the 2007 Pan Ams where she averaged 18.2 minutes in five games. At the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto, Murphy tied for third on the team with an average of 9.0 points per game as Canada won the gold medal. She also helped Canada win gold at the 2015 FIBA Americas to qualify the team for Rio 2016. Murphy has played in two FIBA World Championships, including 2014 when the team finished fifth for the best result by the Canadian women since 1986. During her collegiate career at Hofstra University, Murphy recorded 1245 points and 988 rebounds (second all-time at the school) and served as team captain. She earned CAA All-Academic Team honours twice and CoSIDA Academic All-District first and third team selections. Murphy has played professionally in Finland (2007-08), Lithuania (2008-09), Slovakia (2009-10), Poland (2010-11), and most recently France (2011-present).

Getting to know…

Family: Parents Harold and Maureen Murphy… Inspired by her father’s fight and her mother’s compassion… Older sister Shannon, younger brother Desmond… Getting into the Sport: Started playing basketball at age 9… Her father played in university so all the children were signed up to play when they moved to Beaconsfield… Outside Interests: Enjoys reading, cooking and yoga… Graduated from Hofstra University in 2007 (Bachelor of Science in Biology with minors in chemistry, French and psychology)… Odds and Ends: Favourite motto: “All it takes is all you have”… Pregame routine includes a mini dance party with Tamara Tatham in their room… Has a pair of lucky knee high white socks… Ambassador for Association Reves which grants dreams for sick children… Always travels with a pillow her mom gave her in her first year on the National Team… Nicknames: Liz, Lizard, Murph…