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The Sacramento Kings shocked many followers after they drafted Keegan Murray at No. 4 total, however multiples scouts imagine the workforce bought a steal.
“I’ve had some scouts inform me they thought he was the No. 2 participant within the draft,” Marc J. Spears mentioned of Murray on The Hoop Collective podcast (13: 20 in video).
Brian Windhorst added that whereas the Kings obtained affords to commerce the fourth total decide, they most well-liked to draft Murray.
Murray has been one of many early stars throughout summer time league, averaging 19.7 factors and eight.0 rebounds in three video games in California and scoring 43 throughout two video games up to now in Las Vegas.
The 6’8″ ahead has showcased spectacular offensive versatility that would make him probably the most superior participant within the class.
NBA TV @NBATVKeegan Murray dropped 23 factors to provide the Kings the W 🔥 @brhoops pic.twitter.com/iofQS0f2tX
It comes after a breakout sophomore season at Iowa during which Murray averaged 23.5 factors, 8.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per recreation.
He solely averaged 7.2 factors per contest as a freshman in 2020-21.
Regardless of Murray’s manufacturing, few publicly listed him on the prime of the 2022 draft class. Most scouts seemingly had a transparent prime three of Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr., even when there was disagreement concerning the order.
Jaden Ivey was additionally a heavy favourite to be the fourth participant taken.
Whereas none of them has performed an official NBA recreation, Murray has already proven the kind of upside to be the most effective participant within the class.
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