“I’ve gone to kiss the lioness’ ass so that I can hopefully come back one day, but now my family needs me.” With these words he said goodbye, between tears, Shay Murphy from Uni Girona. It was February 2019 and the American was the club’s top scorer. More than three years and a pandemic later, Murphy is back in Girona. He does it to join Spar’s training sessions and lend a hand to the team, while the club rules the market in the search for reinforcements and that Cornelius recovers and Gardner and Tolo join. “We have been offered to train and help us in this final stretch. We already know the player she is and her competitive level, and she’s sure to give us a good helping hand before the official competitions begin,” explained sports director Laia Palau. In any case, if Murphy, of 37 yearsshe is fine physically – she is retired – it would not be ruled out that the kiss on the ass of the Lioness has an effect and can strengthen the team.
Bernat Canut has made a habit of juggling this pre-season to make rotations in this pre-season’s friendlies. The girls from the planter (Limit, coal, screw, melero i here) have helped the team a lot in training and in the matches against Tordera and Joventut; however, on Sunday in Platja d’Aro against the first rival in the same category, the result was different. Spar Girona lost against Barça (61-68) with only six first team players in the rotation. There is less and less left for the Catalan League (day 30, against Barça in Fontajau) and at the same time, the opening of the Women’s League is also approaching, against Valencia (October 5). Canut is looking forward to the recovery of Cornelius and the arrival of Gardner, once the WNBA is over. For his part, Tolo is competing in the World Cup with Australia and still has days left. All this makes the sports director, Laia Palau rule the market in search of a couple of pieces to strengthen the team.
The American winger, who spent time with Girona (2018-19) and is 37 years old, has a long career in Europe with Valencia – with whom he won the Euroleague in 2012 -, Perfumerías Avenida or Sóller, among others . Murphy has also been a WNBA champion with the Phoenix Mercury and last year she joined the coaching staff of the Lakers, becoming the first woman to join an NBA team coaching staff.
