Ginebra parades Jordan Murphy as new PBA Governors’ Cup import

The Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings will field a new import when the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup resumes on Oct. 7, 2026.

After a shaky 2-4 start in the import-laced conference, the Gin Kings decided to replace Riley Grigsby with NBA G League veteran Jordan Murphy, who is coming off a dominant season with the Leones de Ponce in Puerto Rico’s Baloncesto Superior Nacional league.

Despite Grigsby averaging 28.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in his initial stretch with Ginebra, the decorated franchise still struggled, including a disappointing 81-78 loss to Phoenix before the PBA began its break.

Unlike Grigsby’s ball-dominant and offense-centric playing style, Murphy imposes his will more in the shaded lane and prioritizes rebounding and getting his teammates involved.

Before leaving Leones de Ponce, Murphy was a dominant force in the Puerto Rican league and scored 30 or more points in multiple games during the season.

Murphy began his basketball journey in the U.S. NCAA, playing for the Minnesota Golden Gophers as a prolific rebounder and solid defender.

He concluded his collegiate career as Minnesota’s all-time rebounding leader and is also the program’s all-time leader in double-doubles.

After going undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft, Murphy moved to the G League, spending five seasons with the Iowa Wolves, Austin Spurs and Greensboro Swarm.

His consistent G League career helped boost his overseas import stock, leading to stints with Ironi Nes Ziona in Israel, Mexico City Capitanes in Mexico and Leones de Ponce in Puerto Rico.

He was also a member of the U.S. Virgin Islands men’s national basketball team that competed in several FIBA-sanctioned international tournaments.

With Ginebra sitting at the bottom of the Group B standings, head coach Tim Cone and the rest of the Gin Kings are hoping Murphy can help turn around their season and avoid a rare absence from the PBA playoffs.