Dejounte Murray
Murray at the 2022 NBA All-Star Game
No. 5 – Atlanta Hawks
PositionShooting guard / point guard
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1996-09-19) September 19, 1996 (age 27)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
High schoolRainier Beach (Seattle, Washington)
CollegeWashington (2015–2016)
NBA draft2016: 1st round, 29th overall pick
Selected by the San Antonio Spurs
Playing career2016–present
Career history
2016–2022San Antonio Spurs
2016–2017→Austin Spurs
2022–presentAtlanta Hawks
Career highlights and awards
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at NBA.com
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at Basketball-Reference.com

Dejounte Dashaun Murray (/dəˈʒɒnteɪ/ də-ZHON-tay; born September 19, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played one season of college basketball for the Washington Huskies, where he earned second-team all-conference honors in the Pac-12 as a freshman in 2015–16. He was selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2016 NBA draft with the 29th overall pick. In 2022, Murray was named to his first NBA All-Star Game and led the league in steals. He is the Spurs' franchise leader in career triple-doubles.

Early life

Murray grew up in the impoverished South End neighborhood of Seattle, Washington.[1] Throughout his upbringing, he was exposed to gun and drug violence, homelessness, and parental incarceration.[2] Prior to high school, Murray spent time in juvenile detention.[3]

High school career

Murray attended Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, Washington.[4] The school is a basketball powerhouse, having produced such NBA talents as Jamal Crawford, Doug Christie, Terrence Williams, Nate Robinson and Kevin Porter Jr. Crawford encouraged Murray to take basketball seriously.[5] Murray led the Vikings to three Class 3A state championships titles.[6]

Among other honors that he received, Murray was named Washington Mr. Basketball by the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association as well as The Seattle Times State Player of the Year.[7]

College career

As a freshman at the University of Washington in 2015–16, Murray was named second-team All-Pac-12 and Pac-12 All-Freshman Team[8] after averaging 16.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals in 33.5 minutes while starting all 34 games.[9]

On March 23, 2016, Murray declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final three years of college eligibility.[10][11]

Professional career

San Antonio Spurs (2016–2022)

On June 23, 2016, Murray was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 29th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft.[12] He joined the Spurs for the 2016 NBA Summer League,[13] and on July 14, he signed his rookie scale contract with the team.[14] On October 29, 2016, in the Spurs' third game of the 2016–17 season, Murray made his NBA debut. In just under nine minutes off the bench, he recorded two rebounds and one assist in a 98–79 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.[15] On January 12, 2017, he scored a season-high 10 points in a 134–94 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.[16] He surpassed that mark on January 19, scoring 24 points in a 118–104 win over the Denver Nuggets.[17] During his rookie season, he had multiple assignments with the Austin Spurs of the NBA Development League.[18]

On May 5, 2017, with Tony Parker ruled out for the rest of the playoffs with a leg injury, the Spurs opted to start Murray at point guard in Game 3 of their second-round series against the Houston Rockets.[19] He scored two points in 15 minutes, as the Spurs took a 2–1 lead in the series with a 103–92 win.[20] He helped the Spurs clinch the series against the Rockets with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in a Game 6 win. He became just the fourth rookie in Spurs history to record a point/rebound double-double in a playoff game, joining David Robinson, Tim Duncan, and Kawhi Leonard.[21] The Spurs went on to lose to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.[22]

In the Spurs' season opener on October 18, 2017, Murray had 16 points, five rebounds, and two assists while starting in place of Parker in a 107–99 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.[23] On December 9, 2017, he tied his career-high with 14 rebounds in a 104–101 win over the Phoenix Suns.[24] On February 3, 2018, in a 120–111 loss to the Utah Jazz, Murray became the first player since Kawhi Leonard with 500 points and 300 rebounds in his first 100 games with the Spurs.[25] On March 19, 2018, in an 89–75 win over the Warriors, Murray had eight rebounds to set the franchise record for rebounds in a single season by a point guard. Murray reached 385 rebounds in 1,436 minutes, surpassing Johnny Moore's total of 378 collected in 2,689 minutes.[26] In Game 4 of the Spurs' first-round playoff series against the Warriors, Murray was 3-for-3 on 3-pointers in the first half, the most three-pointers made in the playoffs without a miss by a Spurs player since Steve Kerr (2003) and Patty Mills (2014) were 4-for-4 in a half.[27] At the season's end, he earned NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors,[28] becoming the youngest player in NBA history to be named All-Defense.[29]

On October 7, 2018, Murray suffered a torn right anterior cruciate ligament injury in a preseason game against the Rockets.[30][31] He subsequently missed the entire 2018–19 season.[32]

In October 2019, the Spurs and Murray agreed to a $64 million, four-year contract, taking the contract to $70 million with incentives.[33]

On December 26, 2020, Murray recorded his first career triple-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the Spurs' 119–114 win against the Toronto Raptors.[34] On February 8, 2021, he recorded 27 points, 10 rebounds, and a career-high eight steals in the Spurs' 105–100 win against the Warriors.[35][36]

On February 7, 2022, Murray was named to his first NBA All-Star team as an injury replacement for Draymond Green.[37] On February 13, in a 124–114 win over the Pelicans, Murray became the first player in NBA history to record at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, and no more than one turnover in consecutive games since individual turnovers were first tracked in 1977–78.[38] He finished second, behind Ja Morant, in voting for the Most Improved Player award.[39]

Atlanta Hawks (2022–present)

On June 30, 2022, Murray was traded, alongside Jock Landale, to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Danilo Gallinari and multiple future first-round picks.[40] On October 19, Murray made his Hawks debut, putting up 20 points, 11 assists, five rebounds, and five steals in a 117–107 win over the Houston Rockets.[41] On November 2, Murray recorded a then-career-high 36 points,[42] along with 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 6 steals in a 112–99 win against the New York Knicks.[43] On November 5, Murray recorded his first career triple-double with the Hawks, putting up 22 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, and 3 steals in a 124–121 overtime win against the New Orleans Pelicans.[44] On November 25, Murray recorded a then career-high 39 points on eight three-pointers made in a 122–128 loss against the Houston Rockets.[45]

On January 20, 2023, Murray led the Hawks to a 129–124 win over the New York Knicks with 29 points and a season-high 12 assists.[46] On January 30, Murray scored a then career-high 40 points, along with eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals and zero turnovers in a 125–129 loss against the Portland Trail Blazers.[47] On March 3, Murray scored a career-high 41 points on 17-of-22 shooting, 5-of-5 from three, 2-of-2 from the free throw line in a 129–111 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.[48] In Game 3 of the Hawks' first round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, Murray put up 25 points, six rebounds, five assists, and one steal in a 130–122 win. He joined Trae Young as the first pair of Hawks teammates to each put up at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a playoff game since Lenny Wilkens and Bill Bridges in 1966.[49]

On October 30, 2023, Murray tied his career-high 41 points while also putting up seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals in a 127–113 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.[50] On November 9, Murray made a game-winning three-pointer in a 116–115 win over the Orlando Magic.[51]

On January 17, 2024, Murray put up 26 points, five assists, five rebounds, and a buzzer-beating, game-winning shot in a 106–104 win over the Orlando Magic.[52] On January 19, in the Hawks’ next game, Murray put up 22 points, 11 points, as well as another game-winning shot in a 109–108 win over the Miami Heat.[53]

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2016–17 San Antonio 38 8 8.5 .431 .391 .700 1.1 1.3 .2 .2 3.4
2017–18 San Antonio 81 48 21.5 .443 .265 .709 5.7 2.9 1.2 .4 8.1
2019–20 San Antonio 66 58 25.6 .462 .369 .798 5.8 4.1 1.7 .3 10.9
2020–21 San Antonio 67 67 31.9 .453 .317 .791 7.1 5.4 1.5 .1 15.7
2021–22 San Antonio 68 68 34.8 .462 .327 .794 8.3 9.2 2.0* .3 21.1
2022–23 Atlanta 74 74 36.4 .464 .344 .832 5.3 6.1 1.5 .3 20.5
Career 394 323 27.8 .458 .335 .784 5.9 5.0 1.4 .3 14.0
All-Star 1 0 27.0 .636 .333 1.000 5.0 5.0 .0 1.0 17.0

Play-in

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021 San Antonio 1 1 38.9 .235 .000 1.000 13.0 11.0 2.0 1.0 10.0
2022 San Antonio 1 1 33.9 .263 .200 1.000 9.0 5.0 .0 1.0 16.0
2023 Atlanta 1 1 36.6 .438 .375 .500 5.0 6.0 .0 1.0 18.0
Career 3 3 36.5 .308 .250 .889 9.0 7.3 .7 1.0 14.7

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2017 San Antonio 11 2 15.3 .377 .000 .680 2.5 2.5 1.5 .1 5.7
2018 San Antonio 5 5 19.2 .452 .667 .778 4.2 1.8 1.0 .4 7.8
2023 Atlanta 5 5 38.1 .447 .378 1.000 7.2 6.8 2.0 .2 23.0
Career 21 12 21.6 .426 .391 .767 4.0 3.3 1.5 .2 10.3

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2015–16 Washington 34 34 33.5 .416 .288 .663 6.0 4.4 1.8 .3 16.1

Personal life

Murray has two daughters: Riley (born in 2019)[54] and Icelynn (born in 2023).[55] He is in a relationship with Instagram model Jania Meshell.

References

  1. ^ Pina, Michael (May 11, 2021). "Dejounte Murray: From Harrowing Upbringing to Burgeoning NBA Stardom". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  2. ^ Marquez, R. J. (June 26, 2020). "Spurs' Dejounte Murray opens up about tough upbringing, being labeled a 'gang member' during NBA draft". KSAT. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  3. ^ Marquez, R. J. (June 26, 2020). "Spurs' Dejounte Murray opens up about tough upbringing, being labeled a 'gang member' during NBA draft". KSAT. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  4. ^ Allen, Percy (July 14, 2015). "Dejounte Murray already trying to help lead the way for UW men's basketball". SeattleTimes.com. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  5. ^ Marquez, R. J. (June 26, 2020). "Spurs' Dejounte Murray opens up about tough upbringing, being labeled a 'gang member' during NBA draft". KSAT. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  6. ^ "Changing of The Point Guards: How Dejounte Murray Was Built to Succeed a Legend". www.expressnews.com. February 21, 2018. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  7. ^ "Seattle Times' boys basketball state player of the year: Dejounte Murray". The Seattle Times. March 14, 2015. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  8. ^ "2015-16 Pac-12 Men's Basketball All-Conference Honors". Pac-12.com. March 7, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  9. ^ Allen, Percy (March 29, 2016). "UW Huskies' Dejounte Murray signs with LeBron James' agency, agent Rich Paul". SeattleTimes.com. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  10. ^ "Marquese Chriss, Dejounte Murray are one-and-done at Washington". ESPN.com. March 23, 2016. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  11. ^ Allen, Percy (March 23, 2016). "Washington's Dejounte Murray and Marquese Chriss declare for NBA draft". SeattleTimes.com. Retrieved April 22, 2016.
  12. ^ "Spurs Select Dejounte Murray in First Round of 2016 NBA Draft". NBA.com. June 23, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
  13. ^ "Spurs Announce 2016 Utah Summer League Roster". NBA.com. July 1, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  14. ^ "San Antonio Signs First Round Draft Pick Dejounte Murray". NBA.com. July 14, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  15. ^ "Dejounte Murray 2016-17 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  16. ^ "Leonard scores 31 points, Spurs rout Lakers 134-94". ESPN.com. January 12, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
  17. ^ "Leonard has 34, Spurs overcome Gasol's injury to top Nuggets". ESPN.com. January 19, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  18. ^ "2016-17 NBA Assignments". NBA.com. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  19. ^ Feigen, Jonathan (May 5, 2017). "Spurs' Dejounte Murray starts in place of Tony Parker". Chron.com. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  20. ^ "Aldridge steps up to help Spurs down Rockets 103-92". ESPN.com. May 5, 2017. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  21. ^ Orsborn, Tom (May 12, 2017). "Murray, other youngsters answered call for shorthanded Spurs". ExpressNews.com. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  22. ^ Cacciola, Scott (May 23, 2017). "Warriors Sweep Spurs to Reach Third Finals in Three Years". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  23. ^ "Aldridge's double-double leads Spurs by Timberwolves, 107-99". ESPN.com. October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  24. ^ "Depleted Spurs beat Suns for 8th win in 9 games". ESPN.com. December 9, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  25. ^ "Rubio's season-high 34 leads Jazz by Spurs, 120-111". ESPN.com. February 3, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  26. ^ "Aldridge's double-double fuels Spurs by Warriors, 89-75". ESPN.com. March 19, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  27. ^ "Ginobili, Aldridge help Spurs beat Warriors to avoid sweep". ESPN.com. April 22, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  28. ^ "Dejounte Murray Named to NBA All-Defensive Second Team". NBA.com. May 23, 2018. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  29. ^ Adams, Micah (October 9, 2018). "What Dejounte Murray's injury means for Patty Mills". SportingNews.com. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  30. ^ "Spurs Injury Update – 10/8/18". NBA.com. October 8, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  31. ^ "San Antonio Spurs' Dejounte Murray diagnosed with torn right ACL". NBA.com. October 8, 2018. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  32. ^ Mathur, Ashish (June 22, 2019). "Lakers star LeBron James told Spurs guard Dejounte Murray to 'stay confident and be patient' during ACL rehab". clutchpoints.com. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  33. ^ "Spurs' Murray agrees to 4-year, $64M extension". ESPN.com. October 21, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  34. ^ "DeRozan, Spurs rally past Raptors 119-114 in home opener". ESPN.com. December 26, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  35. ^ "Murray, DeRozan guide Spurs past Warriors, 105-100". ESPN.com. February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  36. ^ "Spurs' Dejounte Murray: Scores team-high 27 points". CBS Sports. February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  37. ^ "Dejounte Murray Selected to 2022 NBA All-Star Game". NBA.com. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  38. ^ Orsborn, Tom (February 13, 2022). "San Antonio Spurs eyeing playoff push after back-to-back wins". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  39. ^ "Ja Morant Topped Darius Garland And Dejounte Murray To Win The NBA's Most Improved Player Award". Uproxx. April 25, 2022. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  40. ^ "Atlanta Completes Trade with San Antonio Spurs; Acquires Dejounte Murray and Jock Landale in Exchange for Danilo Gallinari and Future First Round Draft Picks". NBA.com. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  41. ^ Yapkowitz, David (October 19, 2022). "Dejounte Murray drops epic Atlanta debut not seen in nearly 30 years". ClutchPoints. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  42. ^ Jackson, James L. (November 4, 2022). "Dejounte Murray Looks Like The Running Mate Trae Young Needed". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  43. ^ "Murray has career-high 36, Hawks rally past Knicks, 112–99". ESPN.com. November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  44. ^ "Murray, Young lead Hawks past Pelicans 124–121 in OT". ESPN.com. November 5, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  45. ^ Rieken, Kristie (November 26, 2022). "Green Has 30 Points, Rockets Rally To Beat Hawks 128-122". NBA.com. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  46. ^ "Murray's 29 help Hawks finish strong, beat Knicks 139-124". SI.com. January 20, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  47. ^ "Lillard Outduels Murray 42-40 As Blazers Triumph". NBA.com. January 30, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  48. ^ "Hawks Ride Murray's Career-High 41 Past Blazers". NBA.com. March 3, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  49. ^ Songco, Paolo (April 21, 2023). "Trae Young, Dejounte Murray reach Hawks playoff feat not seen in 57 years after huge Game 3 win vs Celtics". ClutchPoints. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  50. ^ Guinhawa, Angelo (October 30, 2023). "Dejounte Murray's career night vs. Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves has Hawks fans going bonkers". ClutchPoints. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  51. ^ Pagaduan, Jedd (November 9, 2023). "Hawks' Trae Young reignites Luka Doncic rivalry with Mexico City heater". ClutchPoints. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  52. ^ Smith, Christopher (January 17, 2024). "Hawks: Dejounte Murray's epic game-winner vs. Magic sparks wild trade talk". ClutchPoints. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  53. ^ Pagaduan, Jedd (January 19, 2024). "Hawks' Dejounte Murray snatches Heat's soul with game-winner amid trade rumors". ClutchPoints. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  54. ^ "San Antonio Spurs rising star Dejounte Murray enjoying fatherhood to the fullest". FOX Sports. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  55. ^ Andriyashchuk, Yuriy (April 11, 2023). "Jania Meshell welcomes child with Dejounte Murray". Hip Hop Vibe. Retrieved November 27, 2023.

External links

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2016 NBA draft
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