University relatively unknown to the general public, Iowa was the theater for four seasons of the exploits of the university phenomenon Luka Garza, elected last year best player of the NCAA season, and today interior of the Pistons after being selected in 52nd position. in Draft 2021.
This season, the new attraction in Iowa City is a “sophomore”: Keegan Murray. Discreet but effective (7.2 points, 5.1 rebounds in 18 minutes) for his first year in the NCAA in the shadow of Luka Garza and rear Joe Wieskamp (41st position by the Spurs), the 2m03 winger took his responsibilities This year.
After 26 matches, the winger has impressive personal statistics: 23.5 points per game (3rd NCAA scorer) at 56.4% on shots, but also 6 rebounds and 2 blocks on average.
A complete attacker and easy scorer at the university level, he has scored 20 points or more in his last seven outings, including two huge cards, two days apart (11/02 then 13/02), against Maryland ( 30 points at 12/14 on shots) then Nebraska (37 points at 15/21 on shots).
On the night of Monday to Tuesday, it was the defense of Michigan State that he martyred with 28 points at 10/15 on shots, in addition to 5 rebounds, 2 assists and one against. On arrival, a very large 86-60 victory, the fifth in six games for Iowa. What to trigger compliments from Tom Izzo, the legendary coach of the Spartans, powerless against the new XXL release of the Hawkeyes winger. ” They have a star with him. He really is a star. Don’t get me wrong, we talk about all this with the staff. ‘Who is the best player this season?’ and there are four players who stand out. Murray is very high on this list.“
After such a season, the next step for Keegan Murray will definitely be the NBA. Perceived as a potential first round at the start of the season, he is now practically guaranteed to be a “lottery pick”, and the most recent forecasts for the 2022 Draft place him indeed around the 10th choice. The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie even sees him as the 6th pick in the first round in his most recent “Mock Draft”.
Whether it’s 6th, 10th or some other lottery position, Keegan Murray is expected to be the first Iowa player selected in the first round since 1998 and the selection, at the 21st pick, by Ricky Davis by the Hornets.
