PORTLAND, Ore. (June 22, 2023) – The Portland Trail Blazers have selected forward Kris Murray with the 23rd overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft.
In three seasons at Iowa, Murray, 22, averaged 12.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.9 blocks and 0.8 steals in 77 games (29 starts). Murray (6-8, 215) was a 2022-23 All-Big Ten First Team honoree and consensus All-America Third Team selection, in addition to being a finalist for the Karl Marlone Power Forward of the Year and a semifinalist for the John R. Wooden, Naismith Trophy and Lute Olson National Player of the Year awards.
The Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native was the only NCAA Division I player to average at least 20.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks while making at least 65 three-pointers during the 2022-23 season. Murray ranked 21st in the nation and third in the Big Ten in scoring as a junior at Iowa (20.2 ppg), when he also finished fourth in the Big Ten in three-pointers per game (2.3) and fifth in rebounding (7.9 rpg).