Kris Murray

Murray is an American forward who entered the NBA as a first-round pick in 2023 after a decorated junior season at Iowa, where he emerged as one of the Big Ten's premier scorers. He has played for the Portland Trail Blazers, carrying the distinction of being the twin brother of Keegan Murray, who was a top-five pick in 2022.

Born Kristopher James Murray on August 19, 2000, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he attended Prairie High School alongside his twin brother Keegan. He averaged 19.5 points and 6.4 rebounds as a senior and was named first-team All-Metro and second-team All-State. He enrolled at DME Academy in Florida for a postgraduate year alongside Keegan before both committed to Iowa.

At Iowa, Murray played sparingly as a freshman and averaged 9.7 points and 4.3 rebounds as a sophomore. As a junior, he averaged 20.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists and was named first-team All-Big Ten and a third-team All-American by multiple outlets. He declared for the 2023 NBA draft.

The Portland Trail Blazers selected Murray with the 23rd overall pick and signed him on July 1, 2023. He scored back-to-back career highs of 17 and 21 points against the Los Angeles Clippers in March 2024.

Murray is a versatile forward with a smooth shooting stroke, deep range, and rebounding instincts. He scores on catch-and-shoot threes, mid-range pull-ups, and timely cuts to the basket. His size and length allow him to guard multiple positions, and his offensive efficiency has made him a valuable developmental prospect.

Murray enters each season as a young forward with the Portland Trail Blazers, carrying the expectations of a first-round pick and the pedigree of a decorated Iowa career. His trajectory from a Cedar Rapids high school to a Hawkeye standout and an NBA draft pick reflects scoring excellence and a commitment to expanding his game at every level.