Freshman, G, Kentucky
6’3”, 207 lbs
7.2 percent body fat, 6’6.5 wingspan, 8’1” standing reach
*Numbers from Kentucky. Murray did not participate in NBA Combine.
College Stats In 2015-16
36 games, 35.2 MPG, 20 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 45.4 FG%, 40.8 3P%, 78.3 FT%
Where He’ll Go:
Murray is expected to be a top-10 pick.
Best Game In 2015-16
Murray’s best game came in a Feb. 6 80-61 win over the Florida Gators in Kentucky. Murray finished with a season-high 35 points to go with six rebounds and one assist. He showed off a little bit of everything, shooting 7-for-12 from the field and 2-for-3 from the 3-point line.
Strengths
Murray is a solid shooter and showed that last year, hitting more than 40 percent of his 3-point shots. That’s something that should translate to the next level. He can hit shots as a spot-up shooter, but is most impressive coming off screens.
He’s not the most athletic player, but he has great touch when he’s driving and a great feel for scoring the ball. He was solid at drawing fouls while driving to the basket in his only year at Kentucky.
Weaknesses
Murray was kind of a one-dimensional player during his freshman year. He wasn’t a great facilitator, ending with more turnovers than assists.
He’s not a great defender, although he got better with rotations throughout the season. Basically, right now, a team would draft Murray on his talent as a scorer and the potential that he could possibly turn into a combo guard.
Ratke’s Take
Devin Booker’s success in his rookie year with the Phoenix Suns has us thinking differently about how good a Kentucky guard can be. The difference between Booker and Murray, though, is that Booker was an under-the-radar pick, while Murray could be a top-5 pick.
For me, Murray is an intriguing player because he’s very, very gifted offensively. When it comes to being a natural scorer, not many players are as developed as Murray. But he’s not a combo guard yet. He wasn’t asked to facilitate the ball at Kentucky. With his skill set and his ability to draw fouls, he reminds me of Kevin Martin. Martin, of course, had a great career in the NBA, but if you’re taking a guy in the top-10, don’t you want his ceiling to be higher than that?
Murray is only 19, though, so it’d be foolish to think he can’t improve. He’s Canadian. If you recall, the Wolves have a pretty good Canadian on their roster.
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