Keegan Murray
A sharp-shooting forward who set the NBA rookie three-point record and delivered a historic 47-point performance.
Keegan Mitchell Murray (born August 19, 2000) 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 being selected fourth overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2022 NBA draft. He is the twin brother of Kris Murray. Murray quickly made his mark as a rookie, setting the NBA record for most three-pointers made in a season by a rookie with 188, and was named to the 2023 NBA All-Rookie First Team. His sophomore season featured a career-high 47-point game where he made 11 three-pointers, though not consecutively.
- Draft Year
- 2022
- Draft Position
- 4th Overall Pick
- College
- Iowa Hawkeyes
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Before donning the purple and black, Murray was a standout at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he averaged 20.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game as a senior and was named Metro Player of the Year. He spent a postgraduate year at DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida, averaging 22.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game and earning most outstanding player honors at the National Prep School Invitational. As a three-star recruit, he committed to Iowa. As a freshman, he averaged 7.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, earning Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors. As a sophomore, he was named first-team All-Big Ten and won the Karl Malone Award as the nation's top power forward. He helped lead the Hawkeyes to a 2022 Big Ten men's basketball tournament championship, being named Big Ten tournament Most Outstanding Player. On March 29, 2022, Murray declared for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
In Their Own Story
The arena hums with anticipation at Golden 1 Center on December 16, 2023. Murray catches the pass on the wing, feet set against a defender reaching in. The clock ticks down, tension palpable. He rises smoothly, releasing the ball toward the rim. It swishes cleanly through the net, drawing a roar from the home crowd as he turns back on defense. That night, Murray put up a career-high 47 points on 12-of-15 shooting from three-point range, including a league-record 11 made three-pointers in a row, in a 125–104 win over the Utah Jazz. He also became the youngest player in NBA history to make at least 12 three-pointers in a game at 23 years and 119 days old, surpassing the previous record set by Kobe Bryant at 24 years and 137 days old.
Reader's Guide
Murray operates primarily as a versatile forward within the Kings' offensive system. His background in college basketball prepared him to handle multiple responsibilities, from initiating offense off the dribble to finishing at the rim. Strategically, his value lies in floor spacing. By positioning himself beyond the three-point line, he creates driving lanes for ball-handlers while remaining a threat from deep range. This versatility allows coaches to deploy various lineup combinations without sacrificing shooting efficiency. Defensively, Murray contributes through effort and positioning rather than sheer size alone. He tracks shooters effectively and communicates within the defensive scheme, helping to disrupt opposing offenses. His role is foundational, bridging the gap between veteran leadership and emerging talent.
Did You Know?
- Murray set the NBA rookie record for most three-pointers in a season with 188, surpassing Donovan Mitchell's previous record of 187.
- On December 16, 2023, Murray made 11 three-pointers in a 47-point performance against the Utah Jazz, though they were not consecutive.
- Murray was named MVP of the California Classic Summer League in 2022, averaging 23 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal while shooting 50% from the field and 40% from three-point range.
- Murray's father, Kenyon, played college basketball for Iowa, and his twin brother Kris was selected as a late first-round pick in the 2023 NBA draft.
- Murray recorded the first 20-point, 20-rebound game by an Iowa player since Bruce King in 1977, posting 27 points and 21 rebounds against North Carolina Central on November 16, 2021.