Iowa Hawkeye Kris Murray Selected in the 2023 NBA Draft

Roughly a year ago, Kris Murray saw his twin brother Keegan Murray taken with the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings. Over the last year, he saw his brother make an impact and vault the Kings from perpetual mediocrity into one of the NBA's most fun teams.

The Kings wound up securing their first playoff berth since 2006, ending the longest active postseason drought in all four major North American sports leagues.

Now, Kris Murray will have a chance to write his own legacy, albeit with a different franchise but in the same conference as his brother.

The Cedar Rapids native and former Iowa Hawkeye was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 23rd pick in the 2023 NBA Draft on June 22nd. Murray's final year with the Hawkeyes was capped off by him receiving First-team All-Big Ten honors after averaging 20.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.

By default, Kris had to overcome the shadow of his brother, and he did so by being a flexible, sneakily versatile forward. At 23-years-old, he comes into the NBA older than most prospects, which makes it very possible he'll be a more developed and experienced player than his peers.

His opportunity to make an impact should come quickly with the Trail Blazers in the middle of a retool/rebuild. There's still uncertainty of whether veteran point guard Damian Lillard will return to the team or not, with trade rumors swirling all offseason.

Murray also joins #3 overall pick Scoot Henderson, a highly touted prospect who spent multiple years in with the NBA G League Ignite, the league's developmental basketball team for players young, old, and international.

The Blazers received the 23rd pick used to draft Murray from the New York Knicks at February's trade deadline. The Blazers sent Josh Hart to the Knicks while the Blazers got back Matisse Thybulle and Cam Reddish in return.

Time will tell when it comes to what Kris Murray can be in the NBA, but if he's anything like his brother Keegan, the sky is the limit for the Iowa native who furthers the presence of Hawkeye alums in the league.