Alumni Focus - Ade Murkey ('16)

Ade Murkey (‘16) played guard for the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Sacramento Kings G-League affiliate Stockton Kings. When he received a 10-day contract in early 2022 with the Sacramento Kings, he became the first St. Croix graduate to appear in an NBA game.

Many remember Murkey’s powerhouse dunks and selfless play when he led a very talented SCLA squad to a 29-3 record his senior year. During that season, he averaged 22 points per game and was named to the AP Third Team All-State. After high school, he played for University of Denver (D-1 Summit League) where he graduated with a degree in communication and marketing. For Denver, he averaged 18 points per game and earned conference Second Team honors in 2020. Ade reflects on his time at St. Croix, his faith, and his on-going journey to be a professional NBA player.

What does St. Croix mean to you and what leads you to keep coming back?

St. Croix means everything to me - it’s really where it all started. SCLA has always shown me love. Since the day I graduated they have been good to me. It’s home. I see familiar faces all the time so it’s easy to come back to a place where you can feel the love. 

Did any specific SCLA teachers make a positive impact on you?

Mr. Wendland is the answer without thought. He was my coach, but he really was more than that. Me and him shared a special bond; we still do to this day. I could go to him about anything. I remember always just going to his office to get away. Mr. Mielke and Mr. Russ were also two people I have always been close to as well. Every time I come home when I have a break and go back to SCLA, I have to make sure I see those two people. 

You were on St. Croix’s basketball team that finished 3rd in the Class 2A State Tournament in both 2015 and 2016. What made that team so good? How did that experience prepare you for D-1 college basketball at Denver University of the Summit League and life away from home? 

We simply had fun, we played for one another. We were all competitive. When you have those characteristics, things become easy, but honestly it was hard going from a small school like SCLA to Division 1. The speed, size, athleticism. All that was different so it was a hard adjustment that I was eventually able to grab ahold of and run with, but in the beginning the road was never smooth. It still isn’t to this day. 

Can you please explain life as an NBA G-league player, and the journey of trying to become a permanent part of an NBA roster? How did it feel to make an official NBA appearance last month?! 

I joke around with everybody saying the G league stands for Grimy League. It’s tough honestly and really is the truth lowkey. You don’t have the same resources. You really have to be built differently mentally because you are getting it out the mud. Waking up grinding and grinding and grinding and then repeating the next day hurts the body and mind cause you almost think, “why am I doing this when nothing good is happening?” But that’s where faith comes into play. At the end of the day all of us hoopers have a dream to play in the NBA, and I was able to live part of my dream. It was an unbelievable experience that I’ll forever be grateful for.

How difficult is it to “let your light shine” and be a Christian example to others both on and off the court? Any examples of opportunities you’ve had to share your faith with any teammates or coaches?

It isn’t difficult at all when you have faith. It may be hard to stay positive everyday but to keep that faith is easy. One of my teammates always tells me that regardless of what happens “what God has for me is for me and no one can take that away from me.” I ran with that because it kind of tags along with what I always tell people around me that everything is God’s speed. You have to stay patient because what God has for you is for you. 

Anything else you want to share?

Honestly, since I graduated high school and college, I’ve really become boring. I feel like the people from SCLA who know me might find that weird because I was such a goofy, class clown type of guy, but now all I do is play basketball, listen to music, and hang with my friends. I really do have the easiest job in the world.