Dejounte Murray, G, San Antonio Spurs
Height/Weight: 6-foot-5, 170 pounds
From: Washington
Age: 19
The San Antonio Spurs stopped Murray’s unexpected fall from a potential lottery pick to out of the first round, claiming the point guard from Washington with the 29th overall selection in the 2016 NBA Draft. On a team as deep as the Spurs, Murray is going to be a pet project for coach Gregg Popovich and GM R.C. Buford, but after a couple years of tutelage, he may be ready to take the reins of the offense from the aging Tony Parker.
While Murray wasn’t a household name during his one season in college, he arguably has as much long-term upside as any player in this draft not named Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram. His size (6-foot-5), length (6-foot-10 wingspan) and speed are elite physical tools that separate him from others at point guard. Since Murray is clearly a projection pick for the Spurs, it wouldn’t be surprising if he spent a good chunk of his rookie season playing in the D-League. The range of potential outcomes for Murray is as wide as that of any prospect, as he could be an All-Star and he could also wash out of the league in a few seasons. Fortunately for him, the historical stability of the Spurs’ organization gives him a better chance at success than if he were to land almost anywhere else.
Murray showed more than just glimpses of his vast potential while at Washington. He had more rebounds as a freshman than teammate and fellow first-rounder Marquese Chriss who has five inches on Murray. Point guards who average six rebounds and 1.8 steals per game in their first year of college are a rare breed, and it speaks to Murray’s ability to do things that can’t be taught.
He has a long way to go, however, in areas of his game that can be improved through hard work. Murray shot just 28.8 percent on 3.5 attempts per game from three-point range, and he averaged just 4.5 assists in 33.5 minutes per game despite demonstrating excellent vision at times and being a willing passer. He also averaged 3.2 turnovers per game, as his handle was occasionally loose, and he was allowed to freelance in transition and in the half court more than most freshman point men.
Murray also averaged 16.1 points while shooting 41.6 percent from the field and 66.3 percent from the line. He has an excellent floater and can often beat his man off the dribble via crossovers and hesitation moves, but he’ll need to improve his overall shooting efficiency to warrant being a high-usage option down the road. If he improves his jumper, he has the ability to create space whenever he needs to, and he also has the size to get his shot off over most point guards in tight quarters.
Prospect Analysis
Strengths
Good size for the point
6-10 wingspan
Explosive athlete
Can finish at the rim
Good handle
Can pull up and score
Crafty defender gets into passing lanes for steals
Excellent rebounder for his position
Weaknesses
Decision-making needs tightening up
Has to gain size and strength
Inconsistent 3 shooter
NBA projection: Murray has been forecast as a late first-round to early second-round pick.
2015-16 Season:
Murray was chosen second-team All-Pac 12 and made the Pac-12 All-Freshman team after leading the league’s freshman in scoring, assists and steals. He set a Washington freshman record in assists (151) and was second all-time among freshmen in scoring (548) and steals (62) and third in rebounds (203).
Key statistics: 16.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 4.4 apg, 3.2 tpg, 1.8 spg, 33.5 mpg, .416 FG, .288 3PT, .663 FT
Cool statistic: Murray was one of only two freshmen nationally (along with LSU’s Ben Simmons), to average at least 16 points, six rebounds and 4.4 assists. Since 1996-97, only one other Division I freshman, Iowa State’s Curtis Stinson matched that feat.
Reminds me of: Jamal Crawford
What Insiders Say
Washington coach Lorenzo Romar
“Dejounte had 30 rebounds in a high school game. [Critics might say] yeah, but it was high school, what was the competition?’ OK. No one else did it. I didn’t hear any other high school guys doing it, regardless of the competition. He’s just able to do those things. He’s got a great feel for where the action is, and how to get involved in the action.”
What Outsiders Say
Western Conference General Manager
“He’s got to get a little stronger, but he’s fearless. He doesn’t back down from anybody, anything.”
David Aldridge’s Big Board 2016: Point Guards | Rank: No. 4
TNT Analyst David Aldridge breaks down the top prospects at each position
There is just as much uncertainty about Washington’s Dejounte Murray, but for a different reason: he’s just 19. And he played on a team that didn’t qualify for the NCAAs, finishing sixth in the Pac-12. But Murray has flashed in his first college season, and is contemplating whether to put his name into the Draft.
Murray was a second-team all-Pac 12 selection, finishing second on the Huskies in scoring and assists (16 points per game; 4.4 assists) and first in rebounding (5.9). And he’s yet another Seattle-area hooper (Jamal Crawford is a mentor) who’s likely to do damage as a scorer in the pros when he arrives — even though he’s weighs just 170 pounds today.
“He’s skinny,” one admirer says, “but he’s not soft at all.”
