Kris Murray Bio
Kristopher James Murray is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) and weighing around 218 lb (99 kg), he plays the small forward position and wears jersey No. 24. After a strong college career with the Iowa Hawkeyes, Murray was selected 23rd overall in the 2023 NBA draft and quickly became part of Portland’s long-term plans.
Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Murray grew up in a basketball family and developed into a versatile forward through years of structured development. He is the twin brother of Keegan Murray, who plays for the Sacramento Kings, giving the Murray family a notable presence in the modern NBA.
Early Life and Background
Murray was born on August 19, 2000, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and raised in the same Midwestern city. He is the son of Kenyon Murray, a former four-year starter for the Iowa Hawkeyes from 1992 to 1996, who was also named Michigan’s Mr. Basketball in 1992. Growing up in a household that valued the game gave Murray an early and consistent introduction to competitive basketball.
He attended Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids, where he played alongside his twin brother Keegan. As a senior, Murray averaged 19.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.5 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game, earning first-team All-Metro honors and second-team All-State recognition. His performance at Prairie helped establish him as a high-major college prospect.
Following high school graduation, Murray completed a postgraduate year at DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida, a route that allowed him to refine his game against stronger national competition. Both Kris and Keegan Murray then committed to play college basketball for the Iowa Hawkeyes, continuing the family’s connection to the program where their father had starred.
Path to Basketball
Murray’s path to the professional level began in earnest at the University of Iowa, where he joined the Hawkeyes of the Big Ten Conference for the 2020-2021 season. As a freshman, he appeared in 13 games off the bench, playing a total of 41 minutes while adjusting to the speed and physicality of college basketball. The limited role provided a measured introduction to the program.
His sophomore campaign marked a clear step forward. Murray averaged 9.7 points and 4.3 rebounds across 35 games, earning one start, and showed the kind of two-way potential that NBA scouts monitor closely. After the season, he initially entered the 2022 NBA draft, but later withdrew his name and returned to Iowa, declining an invitation to the NBA Draft Combine in the process.
Entering his junior year, Murray appeared on watch lists for the Karl Malone Award and the John R. Wooden Award, signaling his status as one of the top returning players in college basketball. His development during this period positioned him as a first-round prospect heading into the 2023 NBA draft.
Kris Murray Career
Early Career (2020-2022)
Murray’s early career at Iowa centered on growth, patience, and incremental responsibility. During his freshman year, the Hawkeyes coaching staff used him primarily as a depth option, allowing him to learn the team’s system without heavy scoring expectations. That measured approach helped him build a foundation for the larger role that followed.
As a sophomore, Murray transitioned into a meaningful contributor, starting one game and providing consistent production across 35 appearances. His averages of 9.7 points and 4.3 rebounds reflected a player ready to take on a larger scoring load. The brief offseason exploration of the 2022 NBA draft ultimately gave him clarity, and he returned to Iowa with sharpened focus.
Iowa Hawkeyes Breakthrough (2022-2023)
Murray’s junior season represented the breakthrough phase of his career. He averaged 20.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2 assists per game, emerging as the Hawkeyes’ primary scoring option and a leader on the wing. His all-around production placed him among the most productive forwards in the Big Ten Conference.
At the end of the season, Murray was named first-team All-Big Ten, confirming his status as one of the conference’s premier players. He was also recognized as a third-team All-American by the Associated Press, the United States Basketball Writers Association, and The Sporting News. These honors marked the peak of his college career and set the stage for his professional transition.
Portland Trail Blazers Era (2023-Present)
Following his junior season, Murray entered the 2023 NBA draft and was selected 23rd overall in the first round by the Portland Trail Blazers. On July 1, 2023, he signed his rookie contract with the franchise, beginning his NBA career. Portland also assigned him to the Rip City Remix, the team’s NBA G League affiliate, providing additional developmental minutes.
As a rookie, Murray showed flashes of the offensive skill set that defined his college resume. He posted back-to-back career-high scoring games against the Los Angeles Clippers, recording 17 points on March 20 and 21 points on March 22. Those performances highlighted his scoring upside and his ability to contribute in a reserve role during his first NBA season.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the court, Murray is recognized for his scoring versatility, rebounding instincts, and developing defensive presence. His length and mobility allow him to defend multiple positions, while his shooting range provides spacing on the offensive end. Continued refinement of his playmaking and consistency are expected to shape his long-term trajectory with the Trail Blazers.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Murray’s career include his first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2023, his third-team All-American honors, and his 23rd overall selection in the 2023 NBA draft. His back-to-back career-high scoring games against the Los Angeles Clippers in March 2024 stand as early signature moments in his professional career.
Kris Murray Career Wins
Murray’s career wins are anchored by his individual recognition at Iowa and his selection in the first round of the 2023 NBA draft. While he has not yet established a long list of professional victories, his trajectory suggests a player building toward a larger role within the Portland Trail Blazers organization.
Iowa Hawkeyes Highlights
During his junior year at Iowa, Murray was a central figure in the Hawkeyes’ offensive attack, leading the team in scoring and rebounding while earning first-team All-Big Ten honors. His third-team All-American recognition added national validation to his Big Ten accolades. These achievements defined his most decorated stretch in competitive basketball.
Other Wins & Performances
Earlier in his development, Murray was named first-team All-Metro and second-team All-State during his senior year at Prairie High School. His postgraduate season at DME Academy further strengthened his recruiting profile, helping him arrive at Iowa as a four-star prospect with NBA-level upside.
Kris Murray Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Murray comes from a basketball family with deep ties to the Iowa Hawkeyes program. His father, Kenyon Murray, was a four-year starter at Iowa from 1992 to 1996 and was named Michigan’s Mr. Basketball in 1992. Kenyon Murray’s college career helped establish a lasting family connection to the program his sons would later represent.
Personal Life
Outside of basketball, Murray is known primarily for his close relationship with his twin brother, Keegan Murray. The two played together at Prairie High School and later at DME Academy before reuniting as Iowa Hawkeyes teammates. Keegan Murray was a top-five pick in the 2022 NBA draft and currently plays for the Sacramento Kings, making the Murray twins one of the notable sibling pairs in the modern NBA.
2025 Season Performance
As the 2025 NBA season progresses, Murray continues his development within the Portland Trail Blazers organization. After completing his rookie campaign, he enters the new season with a clearer understanding of the league’s pace, physicality, and schedule demands. Portland’s ongoing rebuilding phase provides opportunities for younger players like Murray to expand their roles.
His preseason focus has centered on improving consistency, adding strength, and refining his shooting mechanics from the perimeter. The Trail Blazers’ investment in Murray, including his G League assignment to the Rip City Remix, reflects a long-term development plan rather than a rush to immediate production.
Looking ahead, Murray’s 2025 outlook will depend on his ability to translate his college scoring and rebounding ability into reliable NBA minutes. If he can build on his back-to-back career-high performances from his rookie year, he has the tools to become a regular contributor in Portland’s rotation. His combination of size, skill, and basketball pedigree positions him as a player worth monitoring throughout the season and beyond.
