Keegan Murray – Page 7 – Syndication Server

Andy Katz pegs Iowa forward Kris Murray as top breakout star for 2022-23 season

According to Andy Katz, Iowa once again has the next breakout star in college basketball.

Another breakout star in Iowa City? Yessir, If men’s college basketball analyst Andy Katz is to be believed!

Basketball analyst for NCAA.com and just overall respected basketball mind Andy Katz recently released his list of the Top 15 Men’s College Basketball Breakout Stars, and he is projecting another Iowa Hawkeye to be this year’s big breakout star.

1. Kris Murray, Iowa: His twin brother is with the Sacramento Kings. Kris Murray is the go-to guy now with the Hawkeyes. – Katz, NCAA.com.

Short and to the point, we love it!

Keegan Murray was, of course, the big breakout star in college hoops last year. After a fairly quiet freshman campaign, Murray rose to superstardom in his sophomore year. Leading the Hawkeyes to their third conference tournament championship, Murray averaged 23.5 points per game and was named the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year.

He probably should have won the Big Ten Player of the Year award, but hey, sometimes you have to give it to the player who was inferior in pretty much every statistical category including efficiency! He was a consensus first-team All-American before being drafted fourth overall by the Sacramento Kings in this recent draft.

There were many fears that his twin brother Kris would join him in pursuit of the league this offseason, Murray at one point declaring for the draft. While he did (thankfully) opt to return, it is obvious there is buzz around the junior forward. He showed great flashes, especially against Big Ten competition. He scored over 20 points against Indiana and Purdue, dropping 19 against Michigan as well.

With the success of his brother, there is an increased spotlight on the junior forward to deliver this year. A lot of publications are pegging him as the next breakout player as well. There is a ton of hype around coach Fran McCaffery’s team heading into the year, and the leader spot of this team is open for the taking.

All eyes will be on Murray for 2022-23.

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Kings’ Keegan Murray misses first preseason game due to illness

Murray did not play on Wednesday as the Kings faced the Suns on the road in their third preseason game.

Sacramento Kings rookie Keegan Murray did not play Wednesday on the road versus the Phoenix Suns due to a non-COVID illness, according to James Ham of ESPN 1320.

The contest marked the first absence of the preseason for Murray, who appeared in the Kings’ previous two games. The team has one preseason game left on Friday versus the Los Angeles Lakers before beginning the regular season on Wednesday.

His status against the Lakers is not certain.

Murray has had a great start to the preseason, averaging 16 points, 4.5 rebounds, two steals and one assist on 70% shooting from 3-point range. He has scored 16 points in each game and has drained seven total 3s on 10 attempts.

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Murray has performed at a high level in each game to this point between the summer league and the preseason. He looks poised for a strong rookie campaign and will be among the players expected to help the Kings snap their 16-year playoff drought this year.

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‘Every shot I take I think is going in’: Keegan Murray showing off confidence for Kings

Murray has impressed through the first two games of the preseason with the Kings.

Keegan Murray continued his strong start to the preseason on Sunday, helping the Sacramento Kings to a 126-94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Murray produced a team-high 16 points, three rebounds, two steals, one assist and one blocked shot in 22 minutes of work off the bench. He went 5-of-6 from 3-point range, and hit five straight shots after missing his first attempt.

The fourth pick has put up 16 points in each of his first two preseason games while shooting at a high clip. He is converting on 70% of his shot attempts from beyond the arc, which he attributes to his work and preparation to this point.

“I just shoot with confidence,” Murray said. “Every shot I take I think is going in. My teammates have given me the utmost confidence to shoot the basketball when I’m open, so I just think every shot I shoot is going in and that’s what it is.”

Keegan Murray's 1st half tonight on NBA League Pass:

13 PTS
2 REB
2 STL

FOUR 3's on 80% shooting. 🔥👀 pic.twitter.com/6nnqWAhj7J

— NBA (@NBA) October 10, 2022

Murray arrived at training camp expecting to compete for minutes. The Kings have a crowded frontcourt ahead of him, which makes it a bit difficult to project his potential role. He has come off the bench in the preseason and that could be how he starts the season.

The 22-year-old doesn’t appear to be losing any sleep over his role this season, though. He is just excited to be at this point of the season to be a part of the team.

I don’t feel nervous. I don’t think something is going to go wrong in the game. I don’t think anything like that. I’m just excited to get out and play because I’m fortunate to be in this position because not many people, especially from Iowa, get to be in this position. I’m excited to be here and I know that I won’t take it for granted.

Murray continues to show why the Kings took him with the fourth pick, and he looks poised to have a strong rookie campaign. He has performed at a high level in summer league and the preseason. Now, he looks to carry that momentum into the regular season.

Sacramento plays next on Wednesday versus the Phoenix Suns.

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Kings’ Keegan Murray prepared to earn playing time in Sacramento

Murray isn’t taking anything for granted and is prepared to earn his role in training camp.

Sacramento Kings rookie Keegan Murray enters the season with tremendous expectations as the fourth pick, but he isn’t taking anything for granted and is prepared to earn his role in training camp.

The high expectations on Murray may have even reached another level over the offseason after a tremendous run in summer league. He led all players in scoring in the California Classic and was also named Most Valuable Player of the Las Vegas Summer League.

Murray was viewed as a tremendous addition to the roster and is part of heightened expectations under new head coach Mike Brown. It remains to be seen if Murray will start or not, but he has the potential to be a key player for the team.

He enters training camp this week ready to prove himself.

Everything has to be earned for me. I’m not taking anything for granted. I don’t know if that’s going to come easy for me here or when we play the other NBA teams. I know I have to earn everything that I’m given. I want to work for that.

Said Brown:

We don’t have any expectations on him that aren’t out of the ordinary. I expect him to show up, play hard and be a great teammate. Those are really the only things I expect from him and whatever else he shows on a day-to-day basis will dictate what he earns.

Murray could have a difficult path to reach the starting lineup with Domantas Sabonis, Richaun Holmes and Trey Lyles seemingly ahead of him in the frontcourt. The team could bring him off the bench, but that is far from decided.

He continues to get more comfortable within the Kings’ system and is nearly back to 100% following offseason wrist surgery. He is one of the favorites for Rookie of the Year and will likely have a great chance to win it if he can step in and produce on a nightly basis.

One thing is clear, though: Murray seems determined to solidify his place in the rotation. He has the potential to affect games on both ends of the floor and could help the Kings get a quick start as they look to end their playoff drought.

Sacramento begins its preseason schedule on Monday.

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Paolo Banchero, Keegan Murray crack ESPN’s top 100 for 2022-23

Banchero and Murray were the only two rookies represented on ESPN’s top 100 rankings for the upcoming season.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero and Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray were the only two rookies represented on ESPN’s top 100 rankings released on Tuesday.

Over 200 individuals, including reporters, producers and analysts, were asked to rank players based on their predicted contributions for the 2022-23 season. The voters were asked to only take the upcoming season into account and how each player would perform.

Murray came in at No. 95 on the initial batch of rankings.

Why he could exceed his ranking in 2022-23: Murray trails only Orlando’s Paolo Banchero as the front-runners for Rookie of the Year honors and looks poised to make an immediate impact in the NBA after leading college basketball in scoring and winning MVP at summer league in Las Vegas. He’ll step right into an outsized role for the Kings and will play a huge part in whether Sacramento can make its first playoff appearance since 2006.

Meanwhile, Banchero was voted No. 82 by the panel.

Why he could exceed his ranking in 2022-23: Banchero is Caesars Sportsbook’s overwhelming favorite for Rookie of the Year honors, and for good reason. He brings tremendous scoring instincts and the ability to shoulder a significant offensive load, and he will be asked to play a featured role for an Orlando team that struggled to score last season. At 6-foot-10, 250 pounds with dynamic playmaking ability, he’ll be a mismatch at the NBA level from day one.

The two players enter the season with the highest odds of winning Rookie of the Year. Banchero is the favorite at plus-190, and Murray is plus-450. Each figures to see plenty of playing time for his respective team and should be among the favorites to win.

The injury to Chet Holmgren was certainly a blow to the top of the draft class this year, but Banchero, Murray, Jabari Smith Jr. and Jaden Ivey should have strong years. Of course, others down the draft board will also have the opportunity to stand out.

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Kings’ Keegan Murray cleared to resume all basketball activities

Murray has been cleared to resume basketball activities after undergoing wrist surgery over the summer.

Sacramento Kings rookie Keegan Murray has been cleared to resume basketball activities after undergoing wrist surgery over the summer, according to James Ham of ESPN 1320 in Sacramento.

Murray underwent the minor procedure to have loose bodies removed from his wrist in late July. He returned to shooting with both hands last month and will be ready for the start of training camp when the Kings convene on Sept. 27.

The fourth pick was named Most Valuable Player of the Las Vegas Summer League after averaging 23.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, two assists and 1.3 steals. He finished fourth in scoring average among all players and had at least 20 points in every game.

Murray projects to have a large role with the Kings this season and will enter it fully healthy after his offseason procedure. He has the second-best odds in the Rookie of the Year race and projects to be one of the top first-year players this season.

The Kings begin their preseason schedule on Oct. 3.

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NBA 2K23: Ratings revealed for 5 highest-ranked rookie players

The ratings of five rookie players have been unveiled ahead of the launch of NBA 2K23 on Friday.

2K Sports on Tuesday offered a glimpse of the first batch of ratings for NBA 2K23 with the incoming class of rookies among those revealed prior to the official launch on Friday.

The latest iteration of the popular video game will feature Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker on the cover of most editions. Hall of Famer Michael Jordan will grace the cover of two special versions while legends Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi will be on the “WNBA” edition.

J. Cole will serve as the cover star on the “DREAMER” edition.

The ratings of several players have been released recently, while some categories, such as the top shooters and dunkers, were also unveiled. The ratings for each rookie will be known on Friday when the game is live on all platforms.

Rookie Wire took a look at the five highest-rated first-year players.

Banchero, Holmgren receive the most love in ESPN’s offseason survey

Banchero and Holmgren were voted as having the brightest futures of the rookie class in a recent poll conducted by ESPN.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren were voted as having the brightest futures of the rookie class in a recent poll conducted by ESPN.

The panel included 15 coaches, scouts and executives as the group voted on a variety of offseason topics, including the winners and losers of free agency, the incoming rookies and other related items. Personnel from each conference took part in the survey.

Among the topics, the voters were asked to select the rookie they thought would be the best player in five years. Of the 15 individuals polled, Banchero and Holmgren each received six votes apiece.

Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic: 6 votes
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder: 6 votes
Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons: 2 votes
Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings: 1 vote

As the top two picks in the draft, Banchero and Holmgren each had tremendous outings in summer league and look ready for the NBA. Unfortunately, Holmgren will miss the 2022-23 season after suffering a foot injury, so his debut will be delayed.

Ivey was limited to 38 minutes in summer league due to an ankle injury but dazzled during that time on the court. Murray was named Most Valuable Player of the Las Vegas Summer League and looked to be the top rookie in the event.

The initial voting results offered a quick glance at how some NBA personnel view the rookie class. With one month left in the offseason, the poll should create some interesting dialogue on how this season and beyond could play out on the court.

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NBA Rookie of the Year: The updated odds after the Chet Holmgren injury

The NBA Rookie of the Year odds saw a drastic change on Thursday following the injury news to Chet Holmgren.

Teams in the NBA will not begin training camp for the 2022-23 season for another month, but the Rookie of the Year odds underwent a drastic change after a key injury.

Of course, the Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Thursday that Chet Holmgren will miss the season after suffering a Lisfranc injury in his right foot. The setback will require surgery, but he is expected to make a full recovery.

As the second pick, Holmgren was the subject of enormous expectations this season. He was viewed as a key addition to the Thunder and was a Rookie of the Year candidate. In fact, Holmgren had the third-best odds (plus-400) of winning the award prior to summer league.

With Holmgren out for the season, Tipico Sportsbook released an updated set of odds for the rookie class. There were several changes to the odds, not only accounting for the injury to Holmgren but also for how each player performed in summer league and other factors.

Here are the updated odds for the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year race.

Kings’ Keegan Murray progresses in recovery from wrist surgery

The fourth pick is reportedly progressing in his recovery from right wrist surgery last month.

Sacramento Kings rookie Keegan Murray is reportedly progressing in his recovery from right wrist surgery, according to James Ham of ESPN 1320 in Sacramento.

Murray underwent the minor procedure last month to have loose bodies removed from his wrist. He was expected to be ready for the start of training camp next month and is already back to shooting with both hands on the court.

With time off after summer league, the Kings and Murray likely wanted to take care of his procedure now before the start of the season. He appears to be making good progress in his recovery and looks to be on track for the start of training camp.

The Kings will begin their preseason schedule on Oct. 3.

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