Kings select Keegan Murray with No. 4 pick
With the No. 4 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings have selected Iowa forward Keegan Murray.
Murray had a breakout sophomore season for the Hawkeyes, finishing fourth overall in NCAA Division I scoring with 23.5 points per game while averaging 8.7 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 steals. He was named a consensus first-team All-American and won the Karl Malone Award for the top power forward.
The Iowa native led the Hawkeyes to their first Big Ten conference title since 2006, producing a 32-point performance in the semifinals against Indiana. In his final collegiate game, Murray and the No. 5 Hawkeyes lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to No. 12 Richmond. He put up 21 points, nine rebounds, and two assists in 38 minutes of play.
Murray projects as a plug-and-play forward who can fit into a variety of different offensive systems with his ability to space the floor and run in transition. Comparable to Otto Porter.
Bio
Position: Forward
School: Iowa
College experience: Sophomore
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 225 lbs
Wingspan: 6-foot-11
Max vertical: N/A
Strengths
- Thrives in transition by pushing the pace with active hands when he either steals the ball or deflects passes and can go coast-to-coast himself
- Strong offensive rebounder from his own putbacks or hustling to beat defenders for the board
- Finishes well around the basket from post-ups or cuts to the rim
- Improved as a 3-point shooter, making 40% of his shots from beyond the arc
Weaknesses
- Subpar handle and slow first step hinder effective individual half-court creation
- Didn't show much as a primary offensive initiator for other teammates
- Favors his right hand, finishing with his left sparingly