50 Facts About Keegan Murray

Early Life and High School Achievements

Keegan Murray's journey to the NBA began in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. His early years were filled with basketball, setting the stage for his future success.

1. Birthdate and Place: Born on August 19, 2000, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Keegan Murray's roots are deeply tied to the heartland of America.

2. High School Career: At Prairie High School, Murray shone brightly, averaging 20.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game as a senior. His performance earned him the Metro Player of the Year award.

3. Postgraduate Year: Seeking more exposure, he attended DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he averaged 22.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. His efforts were recognized with the most outstanding player honors at the National Prep School Invitational.

College Journey and Achievements

Keegan's college career at the University of Iowa was marked by impressive stats and numerous accolades, setting him up for a promising professional career.

4. College Commitment: As a three-star recruit, Murray chose the University of Iowa, a pivotal decision in his basketball journey.

5. Freshman Season: Averaging 7.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, Murray earned Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors.

6. Career Highs in College: His sophomore season saw him score a season-best 37 points against Nebraska and record 27 points, 21 rebounds, and four blocks against North Carolina Central.

7. Awards and Accolades: Named to the First Team All-Big Ten and winner of the Karl Malone Award, Murray led the Hawkeyes to a Big Ten tournament championship and was named Most Outstanding Player.

8. NBA Draft Eligibility: On March 29, 2022, Murray declared for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.

NBA Draft and Early Professional Career

Keegan's transition to the NBA was marked by impressive performances and record-breaking achievements, quickly establishing him as a rising star.

9. NBA Draft Selection: In the 2022 NBA draft, Murray was selected fourth overall by the Sacramento Kings, making him the highest-drafted former Hawkeye in program history.

10. Summer League Debut: Murray debuted on July 2, 2022, against the Golden State Warriors, scoring 26 points and grabbing eight rebounds.

11. Summer League MVP: Averaging 23 points, seven rebounds, and shooting 50% from the field, Murray was named NBA Summer League MVP and to the All-NBA Summer League First Team.

12. Regular Season Debut: On October 22, 2022, Murray scored 19 points in his regular season debut against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Record-Breaking Performances

Keegan Murray's rookie season was filled with record-breaking performances, showcasing his exceptional talent and potential.

13. Career Highs in NBA: On January 20, 2023, Murray scored a career-high 29 points and 14 rebounds in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

14. Three-Point Record: On March 29, 2023, Murray made his 188th career three-pointer, surpassing Donovan Mitchell's rookie record.

15. Rookie Season Stats: Finishing with 206 three-pointers, Murray was named to the 2023 NBA All-Rookie First Team.

16. Career High in Points: On December 16, 2023, Murray scored a career-high 47 points, setting a league record by making 11 consecutive three-pointers.

17. Youngest Player in NBA History: At 23 years and 119 days old, Murray became the youngest player to make at least 12 three-pointers in a game.

Family and Personal Life

Keegan's family has played a significant role in his life, with basketball being a shared passion among them.

18. Family Background: His father, Kenyon, played college basketball for Iowa, and his twin brother, Kris, was selected in the 2023 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.

19. Personal Life: A sport and recreation management major at the University of Iowa, Murray has three siblings: Kris, Mckenna, and Demetrius Harper.

College Statistics and Records

Keegan's college career was marked by impressive statistics and records, highlighting his dominance on the court.

20. College Statistics: In two years at Iowa, Murray averaged team bests in scoring, rebounding, minutes, field goals made, and blocks.

21. College Records: He set the single-season scoring record with 822 points and the single-season field goals made record with 307 attempts.

22. Division I History: Murray became the second player in Division I history to amass over 800 points, 60 blocks, and 60 three-pointers in a single season.

23. Player Efficiency Rating: He ranked first in the country in Player Efficiency Rating and fourth in points per game.

Consistent Scoring and Leadership

Keegan's consistent scoring ability and leadership qualities have been crucial to his success on and off the court.

24. Scoring Averages: His 23.5 points per game average was tops among players from a major conference.

25. Double-Digit Scoring Streak: Murray has achieved a streak of 18 consecutive games with double-digit scoring.

26. 20+ Points in Consecutive Games: He has scored 20+ points in two straight games five times during his NBA career.

27. Career Bests: Murray's career bests include 37 points against Nebraska and 21 rebounds against North Carolina Central.

28. Family Legacy: His father, Kenyon, ranks third in Iowa career steals, inspiring Keegan to excel in his own career.

NBA Career and Future Prospects

Keegan's NBA career continues to flourish, with his future prospects looking bright as he becomes an integral part of the Sacramento Kings.

29. College Team Achievements: Under Murray's leadership, the Iowa Hawkeyes won the 2022 Big Ten men's basketball tournament championship.

30. NBA Contract Extension: On October 3, 2024, the Sacramento Kings exercised the fourth-year option on Murray's contract, keeping him under contract through the 2025-26 season.

31. Role in the Kings' Rotation: Murray has developed into a key piece of the Sacramento Kings' rotation, starting in 155 of 157 games.

32. Shooting Ability: His ability to space the floor is crucial for a Kings offense built around ball-dominant stars.

33. Career Milestones: Murray has achieved several career milestones, including becoming the youngest player to make at least 12 three-pointers in a game.

34. Awards and Recognition: He has been recognized with several awards, including NBA Summer League MVP.

35. College Honors: During his time at Iowa, Murray earned several honors, including being named to the First Team All-Big Ten.

36. Leadership Role: His leadership on and off the court has been instrumental in his team's success.

37. Community Involvement: Murray is involved in various charitable activities and community outreach programs.

38. Personal Growth: Throughout his career, Murray has demonstrated significant personal growth.

39. Family Support: His family has been a constant source of support throughout his career.

40. High School Achievements: During his high school career, Murray earned several accolades, including being named Metro Player of the Year.

41. Postgraduate Experience: His postgraduate year at DME Academy was crucial in gaining him more exposure.

42. College Statistics Breakdown: Murray's college statistics are impressive, with averages of 23.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.94 blocks per game.

43. College Game Highlights: One of his most notable college games was against North Carolina Central, where he posted 27 points and 21 rebounds.

44. Injury Recovery: During his sophomore season, Murray suffered an ankle injury but continued to play at an elite level.

45. Career Development: Murray's career development has been rapid and impressive.

46. Team Contributions: His contributions to the Sacramento Kings have been significant.

47. Shooting Range: Murray's shooting range is extensive, making him a valuable asset to the Kings' offense.

48. Leadership Qualities: He possesses strong leadership qualities, evident throughout his career.

49. Community Impact: Murray has made a positive impact on his community through charitable activities.

50. Future Prospects: With his contract extension, Murray's future prospects in the NBA look bright.

Keegan Murray's Bright Future

Keegan Murray's journey from Cedar Rapids to the NBA is nothing short of inspiring. His impressive stats and accolades highlight his dedication and talent. From his high school days at Prairie High to his standout performances at the University of Iowa, Murray has consistently shown he's a force on the court. His transition to the Sacramento Kings has been seamless, with record-breaking achievements like the most three-pointers by a rookie in a season. His leadership and shooting skills make him a vital part of the Kings' lineup. With a contract extension through 2025-26, Murray's future in the NBA looks promising. His commitment to community involvement and personal growth adds to his appeal as a role model. As he continues to develop, fans can expect even more exciting moments from this talented player. Keegan Murray is definitely one to watch in the coming years.