By Moses Leos III

As a seventh grade basketball player at Barton Middle School, Tarale Murry once asked if he was skilled enough to make varsity in high school. 

Standing at 5 feet, 9 inches and weighing 150 pounds at the time, the answer he received wasn’t reassuring. 

“(My coach) told me I had to do a lot [to make it],” Murry said. 

Murry took that advice to heart. Through determination, Murry elevated his game, rising above expectations. It’s taken him to the Forty Acres, where he readies for his final season as a walk-on with the Texas Longhorns basketball team.  

But basketball wasn’t always the priority growing up for Murry. 

Academics came first. His mother took Murry with her to classes at Huston Tillotson University in Austin when he was younger, bolstering his priority on school. 

“I was a nerd [when I was younger],” Murry said. “School was first before I knew what basketball was.” 

But the itch to play became too much to ignore. Murry participated in recreational leagues beginning in third grade. He continued playing into middle school, slowly progressing along the way. 

He hit a wall his freshman year at Lehman High School. Getting into basketball shape was a struggle. Becoming more athletic to make the transition fueled Murry. 

“I hated running and I was always out of shape,” Murry said. “Conditioning was my biggest thing [to overcome].” 

Murry had help in the form of the Lehman coaching staff, led by Thomas Acker. Their persistence in pushing Murry helped him surmount the wall in the second half of his freshman year. 

By the time he reached his sophomore year, Murry focused on his skills. 

With the help of Acker, Murry honed his abilities as a point guard, with the goal of getting stronger. 

More importantly was learning what it meant to have a “motor” — the ability to go non-stop. 

“I’m a laid back, cool person. I wasn’t talented enough to have that mentality in basketball. Acker told me ‘you’ve got to go after it,’” Murry said. “Pushing myself, that was the biggest challenge.” 

That mentality fueled a stellar career at Lehman, where Murry averaged a double double per game – 11.3 points and 10 rebounds. He set the Lobo record for career rebounds.

He was also a pivotal cog in the Lobos’ playoff run in 2011 — the first and only time Lehman reached the postseason in basketball since the school opened. 

Murry’s desire on the court was matched by his aptitude off of it. He aimed to finish as valedictorian at Lehman. While he came close, finishing fifth in his class, his work helped him earn four straight Academic All District honors. 

Murry drew the attention of Stanford and several noteworthy academic universities. However, he chose the University of Texas at Austin to be closer to his family. He then tried his best to join the Longhorn basketball team his freshman year. 

While Murry understood he had to walk-on, he wasn’t ready for the challenges that entailed. He practiced against many players who participated in American Amateur Union (AAU) leagues. 

“I knew I was going to be a walk on,” Murry said. “I thought if I got in shape, and went to workouts, then I’m on the team. That didn’t happen.” 

His low point came his freshman year, when he struggled academically. It forced Murry to stop playing basketball in his sophomore year, to focus on school, as well as helping at home.  

It wasn’t until his junior year that he returned to the court, playing pick-up games. His big chance came in late September, when he tried out for the Longhorns again. This time, he finally got the nod to walk on with the team. 

“I was just grateful. I wasn’t originally going to Texas. I had several other [schools] I could go to academically,” Murry said. 

Since then, Murry has taken a leadership role on the team. As one of the oldest players, he helps many of the younger players on and off the court. 

“I try to encourage them, so they wouldn’t feel like they are by themselves,” he said. 

Taking part in the strenuous routines of collegiate basketball was another learning experience — something Murry says is “basically a job.” 

Now a senior majoring in accounting, Murry takes pride in his role as motivator. It’s allowed him to bond with Texas head coach Rick Barnes. 

“It’s nothing but a blessing and an honor,” Murry said. “I’m an old soul. I try to bridge the gap [between coaches and younger players]. I know what [Barnes] is trying to get out of the guys.” 

With Murry focusing on graduate school, he looks back fondly at how far he has come. 

“This life is not easy. Basketball is a gift. That’s what I tell my teammates,” Murry said. “At the same time, if you put God first, anything can happen.”