Jamal Murray continues to impress at Kentucky
Posted Dec 19, 2015 05:00:20 AM.
Last Updated Apr 18, 2017 09:49:04 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
By Martin Bauman
Kitchener’s Jamal Murray is making a name for himself in the NCAA.
The freshman guard has been a key part of Kentucky’s hot start, averaging 15.5 points per game in his first 10 starts, and connecting on a third of his attempts from deep — tops for the team.
This past week, the former Grand River Renegade was honoured as the SEC Freshman of the Week, and he also became the first player in his school’s history to make at least one three pointer in each of his first 10 career games.
Not bad for an 18-year-old.
Murray is already being projected as a lock for a Top 10 NBA Draft pick, and some mock drafts have him going as high as third or fourth.
Jamal’s father, Roger Murray, says his son has worked hard to get to where he is.
“I taught him a little bit of kung fu — mental training. Just a lot of different things he’s put together to get to a spot where he’s found his groove,” says Murray.
“But it’s a lot of hours. Years upon years of training.”
The success doesn’t come as a surprise to Murray’s former coach at Orangeville Prep, Larry Blunt.
When asked about defining moments from the teen’s time on the court, he says the list is too long to go through, and instead raves about Murray’s character.
“Jamal’s always willing to give a helping hand, and even with people that are in our facility that work in various areas, he’s the first to introduce himself and spend time,” says Blunt.
Murray and the Wildcats are back in action Saturday afternoon.
They take on the Ohio State Buckeyes at 3:30pm.
