Kris Murray
Kris Murray was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a few minutes after his identical twin brother, Keegan Murray. Son of Kenyon Murray, a former collegiate basketball player at the University of Iowa, Kris and his brother grew up immersed in the sport. They attended Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids.
Kris did not receive as much recruiting attention as other athletes and spent most of his college basketball career developing quietly, often in his brother’s shadow. In his senior year, he averaged 15.2 points and 6.7 rebounds, helping his team reach the state tournament.
Collegiate Career at the University of Iowa (Iowa Hawkeyes)
Kris Murray chose to follow in his father’s and brother’s footsteps, entering the University of Iowa as a walk-on alongside Keegan. His collegiate journey was marked by consistent development.
2020–2021 (Freshman)
In his freshman year, Kris had limited minutes, playing only 13 games and with modest averages. His primary role was to adapt to the pace of high-level college basketball.
2021–2022 (Sophomore)
After his twin brother Keegan became a star and left for the NBA Draft, Kris took on a much larger role. He became a vital player in the rotation, contributing averages of 9.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. His improvement was notable, especially as a long-range shooter and versatile defender.
2022–2023 (Junior)
This was Kris Murray’s breakout season. As an undisputed starter, he exploded on the court, finishing the season as Iowa’s leading player. He averaged 20.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. His performance earned him a spot on the First Team All-Big Ten Conference and made him one of the best forwards in college basketball. At the end of the season, he declared for the NBA Draft.
Professional Career in the NBA
Kris Murray was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers as the 23rd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, following his brother’s path, who had been the fourth overall pick the previous year.
2023–2024 (Rookie Season)
In his rookie NBA season, Kris played as a forward, primarily used in the rotation. His transition to the professional level was consistent, demonstrating his ability to space the floor with three-point shooting and contribute defensively with his size and intelligence. He worked to refine his technique and adapted to the speed of the game.
Personal Life
Kris Murray and his twin brother, Keegan Murray, are the first pair of identical twins to be selected in the first round of consecutive NBA Drafts. They are known for having a very close relationship and for sharing an intense work ethic, often crediting each other for their success.
Their father, Kenyon Murray, played college basketball at Iowa from 1992 to 1996 and inspired both sons to pursue basketball. Off the court, Kris is often described as a focused and reserved individual, with a passion for spending time with family and close friends.
