A Purdue Boilermaker rises from Staten Island. Liam Murphy begins NCAA journey.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – There are more than 5,600 players competing in NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball.

To play at this level, you need a rare combination of size, skill and intelligence.

West Brighton resident Liam Murphy certainly qualifies.

Standing 6 foot, 7 inches, Murphy possesses elite height and a lethal touch from long range.

Now in his final year of eligibility, he has signed with Purdue University — ranked as the nation’s top team in the preseason.

“The West Brighton Boilermaker,” an Advance/SILive.com documentary series, chronicles his journey.

Here is Episode 1: “The Purdue Call.”