Keegan Murray Bio
Keegan Mitchell Murray is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Iowa Hawkeyes before he was selected fourth overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2022 NBA draft. He is the twin brother of Kris Murray.
Early Life and Background
Keegan Murray was born on August 19, 2000, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He grew up in a family that valued sports, with his father, Kenyon, having played college basketball for Iowa. This environment fostered his passion for basketball from a young age. Murray attended Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids, where he began to make a name for himself on the court.
During his senior year at Prairie High School, Keegan averaged 20.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, earning the title of Metro Player of the Year. To further enhance his skills and gain exposure, he spent a postgraduate year at DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he averaged 22.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, and earned Most Outstanding Player honors at the National Prep School Invitational.
Path to Basketball
Keegan Murray committed to the University of Iowa as a three-star recruit. He made an immediate impact during his freshman season, recording a high of 14 points, nine rebounds, three steals, and three blocks in a game against Rutgers. His performance earned him a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. He continued to improve throughout his college career, culminating in a standout sophomore season.
In his sophomore year, Murray was named to the First Team All-Big Ten and won the Karl Malone Award, recognizing him as the nation’s top power forward. He played a crucial role in leading the Iowa Hawkeyes to a Big Ten tournament championship, where he was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. After this successful college career, he declared for the 2022 NBA draft.
Keegan Murray Career
Early Career (2022)
Keegan Murray was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings. He made an immediate impact in the NBA, showcasing his skills during the Summer League, where he averaged 23 points and seven rebounds per game, earning the Summer League MVP award. His regular season debut came on October 22, 2022, where he scored 19 points in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Breakthrough (2023)
Murray’s rookie season was marked by several significant achievements. On January 20, 2023, he recorded a career-high 29 points and 14 rebounds in a victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. He made history on March 29, 2023, by surpassing Donovan Mitchell’s record for the most three-pointers made by a rookie in a season, finishing with 206 three-pointers. His outstanding performance throughout the season earned him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Notable Works and Milestones
Keegan Murray’s signature work includes his remarkable rookie season with the Sacramento Kings, where he established himself as a key player. He was recognized for his achievements with several awards, including the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2023. His record-breaking performance in three-point shooting further solidified his status as a rising star in the league.
Keegan Murray Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Keegan Murray has received nominations and accolades that highlight his talent and contributions to basketball. His recognition as a member of the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2023 is a testament to his impressive performance during his rookie season.
Keegan Murray Awards Won
Keegan Murray has achieved several notable awards, including the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2023, the Consensus First-Team All-American in 2022, and the Karl Malone Award in 2022, recognizing him as the top power forward in college basketball.
| Award | Wins | Year |
|---|---|---|
| NBA All-Rookie First Team | 1 | 2023 |
| Consensus First-Team All-American | 1 | 2022 |
| Karl Malone Award | 1 | 2022 |
| Big Ten tournament MOP | 1 | 2022 |
| First-team All-Big Ten | 1 | 2022 |
| Big Ten All-Freshman Team | 1 | 2021 |
Keegan Murray Family
Keegan Murray comes from a supportive family background. His father, Kenyon, played college basketball, which influenced Keegan’s passion for the sport. He has a twin brother, Kris Murray, who also played basketball and was selected in the 2023 NBA draft.
Personal Life
Keegan Murray maintains a relatively private personal life. He and his twin brother, Kris, have shared their basketball journey together, playing as teammates throughout high school and college. Kris currently plays for the Portland Trail Blazers after being selected in the late first round of the 2023 NBA draft.
