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Jamal Murray has cemented his name as a top Canadian basketball player of all time. The Nuggets' point guard is well on his way to a 2nd NBA championship alongside Nikola Jokic right now. However, this all started with his obsession with the game as a kid.
Born in Kitchener, Ontario, Murray's father - who was a former basketball player - instilled the desire within him to become an NBA star in the future. While Murray has succeeded in his endeavors, his father is often criticized for using outdated training techniques and endangering Jamal's health as a kid.
Jamal Murray: High School and College Journey
Murray initially attended Grand River Collegiate Institute. Rumors of his talent reached Canada's southern border and beyond, but Murray choose to complete his high school tenure in Ontario.
Murray was recruited by Orangeville Prep in Ontario, who hired his father as an assistant trainer to smooth the process. It was here that his mixtapes on Ballislife.com, et al, marked him out as a blue-blood college basketball recruit.
Murray eventually played college basketball at the University of Kentucky, under the guidance of coach John Calipari. Murray averaged a whopping 20.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game during his freshman season. His elite statistical output marked him out as an obvious NBA talent, right from the jump.
NBA Career and Achievements
Having declared for the draft after his freshman season, Murray was picked 7th overall by the Denver Nuggets in 2016. Murray joined Nikola Jokic and Gary Harris on a Denver team still reeling from their unfortunate 2013 playoff exit after winning 55 games.
While Murray surprisingly hasn't been named an All-Star/All-NBA player yet, he has amply imprinted his impact on the Association. Murray has built a reputation as a playoff riser unlike anyone else in the NBA right now.
In 2019, Murray signed a significant five-year max extension with the Nuggets worth over $30 million annually. Although an ACL injury in 2021 sidelined him for an entire season, Murray returned stronger than ever in 2022-23. He led a pivotal role in bringing Mile High City its first NBA championship last year.
Murray's impact in the playoffs was undeniable, averaging an impressive 26.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game.
