Dejounte Murray facts for kids
Murray at the 2022 NBA All-Star Game
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| No. 5 – New Orleans Pelicans | |
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| Shooting guard / point guard | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | September 19, 1996 Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| High school | Rainier Beach (Seattle, Washington) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Listed weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Washington (2015–2016) |
| NBA Draft | 2016 / Round: 1 / Pick: 29th overall |
| Selected by the San Antonio Spurs | |
| Pro career | 2016–present |
| League | NBA |
| Career history | |
| 2016–2022 | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2016–2017 | →Austin Spurs |
| 2022–2024 | Atlanta Hawks |
| 2024–present | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Dejounte Dashaun Murray (born September 19, 1996) is an American professional basketball player. He plays for the New Orleans Pelicans in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is known for his great defense and ability to get lots of steals.
Dejounte played college basketball for the Washington Huskies. He was picked by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2016 NBA draft. In 2022, he became an NBA All-Star and led the league in steals. He has also played for the Atlanta Hawks.
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Growing Up in Seattle
Dejounte Murray grew up in the South End neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. This area was not very wealthy.
High School Basketball Star
Murray went to Rainier Beach High School in Seattle. This school is famous for its basketball program. Many talented NBA players have come from there. Some of these players include Jamal Crawford and Nate Robinson.
Dejounte led his high school team, the Vikings, to win three Class 3A state championships. He also received many awards. He was named Washington Mr. Basketball and The Seattle Times State Player of the Year.
College Days at Washington
In 2015–16, Murray played his first year of college basketball. He played for the University of Washington. He was named to the second-team All-Pac-12. He also made the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team.
During his freshman year, he played in all 34 games. He averaged 16.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. On March 23, 2016, Murray decided to leave college early. He chose to enter the NBA draft.
Playing in the NBA
San Antonio Spurs (2016–2022)
On June 23, 2016, the San Antonio Spurs picked Dejounte Murray. He was the 29th player chosen in the 2016 NBA draft. He signed his first contract with the Spurs on July 14.
Murray played his first NBA game on October 29, 2016. He helped the Spurs win against the New Orleans Pelicans. During his first year, he also played for the Austin Spurs. This team is part of the NBA's minor league.
In May 2017, Murray became the starting point guard for the Spurs in the playoffs. He helped the team win a series against the Houston Rockets. He became one of only four rookies in Spurs history to get a double-double (double-digit points and rebounds) in a playoff game.
In the 2017–18 season, Murray continued to improve. He set a new Spurs record for rebounds by a point guard in a single season. At the end of the season, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. He was the youngest player ever to receive this honor.
In October 2018, Murray had a serious knee injury. He missed the entire 2018–19 season because of it. After his recovery, he signed a new contract with the Spurs in October 2019.
On December 26, 2020, Murray achieved his first career triple-double. This means he had double-digit numbers in three different stats (points, rebounds, and assists) in one game. He had 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Toronto Raptors.
In February 2022, Murray was chosen for his first NBA All-Star Game. He became the first player in NBA history to average 20 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals per game in a season. He also led the league in steals that year.
Atlanta Hawks (2022–2024)
On June 30, 2022, Murray was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. He made his Hawks debut on October 19. He scored 20 points and had 11 assists in a win.
On November 2, Murray scored a career-high 36 points against the New York Knicks. A few days later, he got his first triple-double with the Hawks. He also scored a career-high 39 points in November.
In January 2023, Murray scored 40 points in a game. On March 3, he set a new career high with 41 points. He continued to have strong performances. In the playoffs, he and Trae Young became the first Hawks teammates since 1966 to each have at least 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in a playoff game.
Murray continued to shine with the Hawks. On October 30, 2023, he tied his career-high of 41 points. He also made game-winning shots in close games against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat in 2023 and 2024. On March 28, 2024, he scored a new career-high of 44 points in an overtime win.
New Orleans Pelicans (2024–present)
On July 6, 2024, Dejounte Murray was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans.
See also
In Spanish: Dejounte Murray para niños
