Iowa sophomore forward Keegan Murray, currently the No. 5 player on the ESPN big board, is declaring for the draft, per Jonathan Givony of ESPN.
Murray played a bench role during his freshman season, averaging 7.2 PPG across 18 MPG as the offense focused around reigning 2020 Big Ten Player of the Year Luka Garza, a senior in 2020/21. Garza was eventually selected with the No. 52 pick by the Pistons during the 2021 draft.
As a sophomore, Murray handily established himself as a lottery prospect after gaining 15 pounds and growing an inch. In 35 games in 2021/22, he averaged 23.5 PPG, 8.7 RPG and 1.9 BPG across 32 MPG, posting a stellar shooting line of .554/.398/.747. Murray was voted Big Ten Tourney MVP in leading the Hawkeyes to the 2022 Big Ten tournament title.
Givony notes that the 21-year-old is presently a candidate for 2022 John R. Wooden, Naismith and Lute Olson awards. The 6’9″ forward looks likely to slot in as a versatile addition for whichever NBA club he joins, having operated at a variety of positions for Iowa and in his high school days at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
“Before I came to Iowa I always played on the wing,” Murray said. “This was the first time I played the 4 and 5. We were small in the Big Ten. I’ll do whatever is needed to win because of my skill-set. This year I needed to play the 5. I feel like in the NBA, I can play 2 to 5. I can adapt to any position I’m put in.”
“I’m looking forward to showing NBA teams my versatility on both ends of the court,” the 2022 consensus All-American First Teamer added. “I’m a lot more athletic than people realize. I’m as competitive a player as you’re going to get. It doesn’t show from my facial expressions, but I love the game of basketball and competing every single night was a blessing for me. I’m not worried about what spot I get drafted.”
Good luck KMurr!
I got him going to Sacramento at 6. He’d be a great fit with Domas & De’Aaron. He’s shown that he can be a good role player on a great team as well as the ability to carry an ok team to greatness
Hope we can get him!
For some reason I thought he was about 6’6. Even at 6’9 playing the 5 might be a bit of a stretch, except in real small ball situations. Even then I can’t see him guarding draymond green types.
That said, he’s easily more nba ready than Johnny Davis, B McGowins (sp?) or Jayden Ivey from the B14.
Cleveland gets him lol
The question he’ll have to answer is whether he can routinely guard wing players at the NBA level. If he can get teams comfortable that he can, he’ll have a lot of appeal from #3 on. If not, I don’t see how he stays in the top 10.
He’s a 3 in NBA. But has played more as a 4 in college. He says “he’s more athletic than people think”. Well that’s what he needs to show in workouts. He’s a scorer who needs a better handle. Reminds me of Kuzma some. His shot is real. But I agree with DXC. He’s going to have to prove he can guard 3s. Otherwise I see him as a solid rotation guy.