Jamal Murray

Early life

Jamal Murray was born on February 23, 1997, in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. He grew up in a basketball-loving family, with his parents Sylvia, who is from Syria, and Roger Murray, who was born in Jamaica and moved to Canada at the age of nine. Murray also has a younger brother named Lamar. His father, who had a background in track and field and basketball, even had the opportunity to play against Kitchener native Lennox Lewis before Lewis began his professional boxing career.

Murray’s passion for basketball was evident from an early age. At the age of three, he would spend hours playing the game, and by six years old, he was already participating in a league meant for ten-year-olds. As he grew older, Murray’s skills continued to develop, and by the age of 12 or 13, he was playing pick-up games against top high school and college players. His father played a significant role in his basketball development, putting him through rigorous drills and even incorporating kung fu exercises and meditation into his training routine.

Jamal Murray began his high school career at Grand River Collegiate Institute in Kitchener, but later transferred to Orangeville Prep in Orangeville, Ontario, where his father served as an assistant coach. It was at Orangeville Prep that Murray formed a formidable duo with fellow prospect Thon Maker, leading their team to victories over numerous American schools.

Murray’s talent and skills on the court did not go unnoticed. In the 2013 Jordan Brand Classic International Game, he was honored with the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, becoming the second Canadian to achieve this feat after Duane Notice. Furthermore, at the 2015 Nike Hoop Summit, Murray showcased his scoring prowess by recording a game-high 30 points, earning him the prestigious MVP title.

Notably, Murray’s excellence extended to the 2015 BioSteel All-Canadian Basketball Game, where he was named the Most Valuable Player. This event features the top high school players in Canada, and Murray’s exceptional performance cemented his status as one of the country’s rising basketball stars.

During his high school years, Murray also played AAU basketball for the CIA Bounce, further refining his skills and gaining valuable experience against top-level competition.

Career

On June 24, 2015, Jamal Murray made the decision to reclassify to the class of 2015 and committed to playing for coach John Calipari at the University of Kentucky. As a freshman during the 2015-2016 season, Murray’s impressive performance earned him recognition, as he was featured on the Midseason Top 25 list for the John R. Wooden Award and named to the 35-man midseason watch list for the Naismith Trophy. He played in 36 games, averaging 20.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, while shooting 40.8% from beyond the arc. Murray’s remarkable contributions led to him being named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press, in addition to making the All-SEC First Team and the SEC All-Freshman Team. His scoring average of 20.0 points per game set a new record for a freshman in the history of Kentucky’s basketball program and remained the highest for any player during John Calipari’s tenure as head coach. Despite leading the Wildcats, who boasted seven future NBA players on their roster, to a top-ranked position and the SEC title, they were unexpectedly eliminated by the 5-seed Indiana in the second round of March Madness. In April 2016, Murray declared for the NBA draft, opting to forgo his final three years of college eligibility.

In the 2016 NBA Draft, Murray was selected as the seventh overall pick by the Denver Nuggets. He quickly made an impact in his rookie season, demonstrating his scoring ability and developing into a reliable player for the team. Murray’s breakout moment came during the 2020 NBA Playoffs, where he led the Nuggets on an impressive postseason run, including a historic 50-point performance in Game 4 of the first-round series against the Utah Jazz.

Throughout his NBA career, Murray has continued to excel, earning a reputation as a prolific scorer and a clutch player. He has played a vital role in the success of the Denver Nuggets and has become one of the team’s core members.

2016–2019: Early years and first playoffs Jamal Murray’s NBA journey began on June 23, 2016, when he was selected by the Denver Nuggets as the seventh overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft. He signed his rookie-scale contract with the Nuggets on August 9, 2016. Throughout his early years, Murray showcased his potential and skills. On November 13, 2016, he achieved a then career-high of 19 points in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers, surpassing it on November 22 with 24 points in a victory over the Chicago Bulls. On April 7, 2017, he reached a career-high of 30 points in a win against the New Orleans Pelicans, culminating in his selection to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team at the end of the season.

Murray’s development continued in the following years. On November 11, 2017, he achieved a career-high 32 points in a win over the Orlando Magic, followed by a 31-point performance against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 17. He surpassed his personal best once again on January 22, 2018, with 38 points, including a crucial three-point play in the final minute, securing a victory against the Portland Trail Blazers. Murray’s consistent scoring ability was demonstrated on February 1, 2018, when he recorded 33 points in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. His proficiency at the free-throw line was also notable, as his 90.5% free-throw percentage ranked fifth in the league and stood as the 10th highest in team history.

In the 2018-2019 season, Murray reached new heights. On November 5, 2018, he had a career-high 48 points in a win over the Boston Celtics, followed by a 22-point, career-high 15-assist performance against the Dallas Mavericks on December 18. Murray’s exceptional shooting was evident on December 29, when he scored 46 points and made a career-high nine 3-pointers in a victory over the Phoenix Suns. He continued to excel, contributing 36 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter, in a win against the Sacramento Kings on January 3. Murray’s third-quarter outburst of 22 points propelled the Nuggets to a victory over the Chicago Bulls on January 17. Despite a brief absence due to a sprained left ankle, he returned to action on February 6, recording 19 points and 11 assists in a game against the Brooklyn Nets.

Murray’s impactful performances extended to the playoffs. In Game 3 of the Nuggets’ second-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers, he achieved a then playoff career-high of 34 points in a quadruple-overtime loss. He matched this performance in Game 4, once again scoring 34 points to secure a crucial win for the Nuggets.

Net Worth

As of 2023, Jamal Murray’s estimated net worth is around $25 million. This figure includes his basketball earnings, endorsements, and various business ventures.

Achievement

Some of his many career achievements include:

NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2017)

NBA Western Conference Player of the Week (twice)

Named to the Rising Stars Challenge (2018, 2019)

Recorded multiple 50-point games, including a career-high 50 points in a single game (2020)

College

• Third-team All-American – AP (2016)
• First-team All-SEC (2016)
• SEC All-Freshman Team (2016)
• SEC All-Tournament Team (2016)