Denver Nuggets Starters: Point Guard Jamal Murray

The energetic point guard for the Denver Nuggets, Jamal Murray, is part of the “core” driving toward a dream season.

To say Jamal Murray has always been a basketball prodigy would be stating the point lightly.  He played for hours at age three and played in a league for 10 year olds at age six.  The Canada native was coached along the way by his dad, who participated in track and field and basketball himself as a young person.

As a high schooler, Murray started at Grand River Collegiate Institute in Kitchener, Ontario and later transferred to Orangeville Prep in Ontario.  He earned MVP of the 2015 Nike Hoop Summit

After high school, Murray committed to play at Kentucky.  Everyone knows the NBA is pretty much comprised of players that originated from Kentucky, to where it speaks for itself.  However, Murray was a star even at beloved Kentucky.

During his short time at the university he was on the SEC All-Freshman team, SEC All-Tournament team, First-team All-SEC, and Third-team All-American – AP.  His 20 point average as a freshman was the best for any player in John Calipari’s tenure as head coach.

Enter 2016 and the NBA draft.  Jamal Murray was selected seventh overall by the Denver Nuggets.  As a rookie, Murray rocked his debut with new career highs being set.  He was selected MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge and at the season end he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

With only two years under his belt for NBA experience, it is a small wonder that Murray is such an integral part of the “core” of the Nuggets that is expected to be dominating this season.  When you see how Jamal Murray, the player, was built I think it’s easy to see how he got here so quickly.

May the Blue Arrow light up the Pepsi Center and the NBA for many years to come, big things are in store for Jamal Murray.  He is a champion and the Nuggets have been looking for that role to be filled for some time.