Editor’s note: This story was originally published prior to the NBA Draft and has been updated.
Iowa’s Kris Murray is hoping to do something that has never been done before. He wants to eventually win an NBA championship with his identical twin, Keegan Murray.
Last season, the Kings selected Keegan, who declared after his sophomore year with the Hawkeyes, with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. One year later, Kris is projected to hear his name called on draft night as well.
Kris averaged 20.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists while adding 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals per game for Iowa.
He was one of just three players in Division I men’s college basketball to record at least 200 rebounds, 30 steals, 30 blocks and 60 3-pointers last season. The other two were Brandon Miller and Taylor Hendricks, who are both projected top-10 picks in For The Win’s consensus mock draft.
All things considered, it was a successful campaign during his first-ever season playing without Keegan.
“We’ve been together for so long, and I’m grateful that he’s been my teammate for the time that he was,” Murray told For The Win. “But having my own team and being able to play without him helped me grow my game and helped me create my own identity.”
While it was a new challenge for his parents to have one son playing in Sacramento and another playing in Iowa, they will soon know where Kris will suit up next season.
The good news for their parents: ESPN’s latest NBA mock draft has Kris selected by the Kings as the No. 24 overall pick.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
How would you describe the roles you played while at Iowa?
Kris Murray: During my sophomore year, I played an unconventional role as the backup five-man. I knew I could hold my own on the defensive end and do what my coach needed me to do on the court and try to give good minutes. Then I had an opportunity on the offensive end to create mismatches with a five-man or a slower-footed person, and I took advantage of that.
I thought I really thrived in that role and did what our coach needed me to do to help our team win that year. It helped me to play an unconventional role because you never know what a coach may ask of you on a day-to-day basis. It shows that I’m versatile and that I’m adaptable to different environments and different roles.
Being able to have a more expanded role this year helped my confidence knowing that my coach trusted me and would let me play through my mistakes. We built that relationship where I could stay in the game, and he wouldn’t have to worry about foul trouble, he wouldn’t have to worry about me not shooting the ball if I missed a couple of shots. I was able to show a lot more of my game and my versatility offensively and defensively.
How would you rate your competitiveness relative to other prospects in this class?
Kris Murray: I’m a competitive person; I just have a different way of showing it. That’s something I can bring to a team — that calmness and that demeanor. It’s not that outrageous competitive spirit. It’s someone who is coming into a team to work every single day. You’re going to get the best out of me every single day. I’ve always been that way my whole entire life.
I think it just came from my past. A couple of years ago, I was underrated and under-recruited. It was kind of a weird situation having to go to prep school just a couple of years ago to where I am now. That definitely motivates me and helps my competitiveness as well.
What is the primary difference between you and your twin brother, Keegan, on the court?
Kris Murray: I’ve been more of a playmaker in high school. I’ve always been a little more of a ball handler and comfortable with the ball in my hands making the right reads. That is something I’ve always been comfortable with. That’s kind of really it.
We’re both really versatile on defense. We guard similar positions. We’ve both been really good shooters throughout our careers and growing up. We’ve played together a lot. We kind of mimic our games naturally. But I definitely think playmaking is something that for me is a difference between us.
We both can have really long careers and make our mark in different ways. The biggest thing to take us to the top would be winning a title together. I think that’s the ultimate goal. I think that’d be something that would be really cool to share with Keegan.
Did they actually show your picture, not Keegan’s, when he was drafted?
Kris Murray: I was the first one to notice that when he was walking on stage. It was a big moment for our family and a big moment for Keegan, but that was the first thing I noticed. And my sister and family noticed afterward because they’re the only ones who can kind of tell us apart. It was just a really funny thing. I make jokes about it and whatnot. Most people couldn’t tell. I just thought it was kind of funny. [Laughs] They put the better-looking twin for Keegan’s picture in the draft.
How would you describe your experience as an Iowa basketball player at the same time as Caitlin Clark?
Kris Murray: It was awesome. Where she’s taken women’s basketball at the University of Iowa and even the state of Iowa, as well as her following especially the past year and her impact in the community, has been incredible.
Our women’s basketball ticket sales are practicality through the roof every game. We are sold out next year and it’s because of her and that team. Those are all really good people on and off the court. What you see is what you get.
Caitlin is a homegrown Iowa kid making herself a Hall of Famer and a national celebrity. There are different ways of handling that and she’s done a really good job of handling herself and being a really good role model for a lot of young kids both boys and girls. However long she is at Iowa, they’re going to be very successful — even when she leaves. She’s left a lasting imprint there.
What are some of the most important things to know about you as a person?
Kris Murray: You just kind of got to get to know my personality. I’m kind of a carefree person. I like to laugh a lot. I’m not too hard on myself.
During Keegan’s first year in the NBA, there were a lot of memes and stuff about how he doesn’t show his emotions and doesn’t seem happy. I’m kind of the complete opposite of that, and you’ll see that especially when I get to the NBA with the media. I’m very personable.
I’m a big golfer. I enjoy watching golf on the weekends. I enjoy playing it. I played in high school for four years. That’s a big thing of mine. I’ve always been naturally good at golf. My mom golfed in college. My grandpa used to work at a golf course. We used to go there a lot when we were younger.
I like taking my dog for walks and runs. I’ve had her for a little over a year. She’s a red golden retriever. She has lots of energy and requires a lot of attention. She’s been perfect for me.
I’m a big Marvel guy. MCU. I really got into that. Just following that. I watch a lot of movies and puzzles. It’s not too crazy outside of basketball. I keep it pretty simple.
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