Sheffield Hatters’ American forward Karly Murphy has scooped the Molten WBBL Player of the Month award for November after continuing her fine start to her maiden WBBL campaign, with Hatters currently sitting fourth with a 4-1 record. 

Murphy joined from Colorado State University with a reputation as a double-double machine, and has lived up to that by averaging 20 points and 12 rebounds for the month, while also handing out two assists per game, shooting 56% from the field and making all 11 of her free-throw attempts. 

Overall, she is the league’s leading rebounder, eighth in scoring, and seventh in field goal percentage. She is also one of just two players to have featured in the weekly WBBL All-Star 5 on three occasions already this season. 

November saw Hatters secure a big win over perennial title challengers Sevenoaks Suns, as Murphy led the scoring with 22 points on 10-14 (71%) shooting, with nine rebounds and three assists. In a tight game, Hatters won the fourth quarter 29-16 to overturn a first half deficit, with Murphy scoring 10 points and grabbing six boards in a six minute spell. 

There was, however, disappointment for the team in the month as they were knocked out of the WBBL Cup quarter-finals by powerhouse London Lions, although Murphy managed a double-double – her fourth of the season so far – with 17 points and 14 rebounds. 

The 6’1” Wisconsin native now looks forward to a pair of home games to start December, beginning with a key clash against top four rivals Caledonia Gladiators.