Pelicans' Trey Murphy III explains why Quincy Olivari is just getting started

As many teams went through the motions, the Los Angeles Lakers utilized the preseason to discover a diamond in the rough. Undrafted rookie Quincy Olivari became the breakout star of the NBA's preparation phase, with two stellar showings ultimately earning him a two-way contract.

While many were shocked to see Olivari emerge as a potential NBA contributor, one $112 million player saw it coming from a mile away.

Olivari played five seasons at the collegiate level, including four with the Rice Owls and the 2023-24 campaign with the Xavier Musketeers. During his tenure at Rice, Olivari became teammates with one of the NBA's fastest-rising players: New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III.

In an appearance on The Young Man and The Three, Murphy spoke about Olivari's NBA emergence and explained why no one should be surprised by this unexpected success story.

"Another reason I've been watching the Lakers is because one of my best friends, a person I talk to probably every single day, Quincy Olivari, he's been hooping in the preseason. It's so great watching that. My sophomore year, he was a freshman. I actually hosted him on his visit my freshman year and then he came into Rice my sophomore year. Literally, he was around me all the time because I always stay in the gym and he always stayed in the gym."

Murphy continued, explaining what makes Olivari a player who seems destined to find a degree of success in the NBA.

"He just loves basketball. If he could play for free, he would play for free. He's one of those people that's just, like what JJ [Redick] said, one of those sickos that just loves basketball. He would talk about Steph[en Curry], because obviously that's one of his favorite players, but he loved a lot of different players. He was a lot like me. He would watch a lot of different guys and take little pieces out of their game. That's just him."

That's a ringing endorsement from Murphy, who has now played three seasons in the NBA and earned a $112 million contract extension from the Pelicans.

Trey Murphy III echoes JJ Redick, calls Quincy Olivari a "sicko"

Olivari first made his presence felt during a 107-102 preseason victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. He erupted for 11 points, five rebounds, one offensive board, and two assists in the final 9:24 of the fourth quarter.

Many were prepared to write it off as a simple case of a player embracing their opportunity to shine against weaker competition during the preseason until Olivari struck again eight days later.

Olivari was remarkable against the Golden State Warriors, posting 22 points, seven rebounds, three offensive boards, and two assists. He shot 8-of-16 from the field, 5-of-9 from beyond the arc, and made his only free throw attempt.

During a post-game press conference, Olivari revealed that his dream came true as he spoke with Warriors legend Stephen Curry after the Lakers' preseason finale.

Critics were inevitably quick to rain on the parade, downplaying Olivari's success as a product of subpar competition. He was consistently on the court against NBA players, however, including Draymond Green, Buddy Hield, Jonathan Kuminga, De'Anthony Melton, Brandin Podziemski, and Andrew Wiggins.

Regardless of what the critics had to say, Olivari stepped up at the 25th hour and earned a two-way contract that otherwise seemed unattainable.

Murphy echoing Redick's sentiment that Olivari is obsessed with basketball is a promising sign for his future with the franchise. He'll likely play a majority of the 2024-25 season in the G League, but if the need for depth arises, an opportunity could be presented at the NBA level.

The best story of the 2024 preseason thus continues as Olivari receives a ringing endorsement from a former teammate turned $112 million NBA player.