Pima's Murphy Gershman, right, works his way around a Glendale defender Jan. 15, 2014. Gershman, 25, is a former plumber who has found himself playing for the Aztecs.

Pima College sophomore basketball player Murphy Gershman is one of the best stories going in Tucson sports. After graduating from Tucson High in 2007, he worked as a handyman, making ends meet. He went back to school last year and averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds at PCC, making the All-ACCAC second team. Last week he was offered a full scholarship to NCAA Division II Saint Martin’s University, near Seattle. That’s a value of about $30,000 a year. Gershman will take a recruiting visit to the Colorado School of Mines Sept. 18-21 before making a decision.


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