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2016 NBA Draft: Top 10 Safest Prospects

By Maxwell Ogden

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 13: Jamal Murray #23 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates during the 82-77 OT win over the Texas A&M Aggies in the Championship Game of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 13, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 13: Jamal Murray #23 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates during the 82-77 OT win over the Texas A&M Aggies in the Championship Game of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 13, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Mar 17, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) dribbles against the Stony Brook Seawolves in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) dribbles against the Stony Brook Seawolves in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Jamal Murray, Kentucky Wildcats

Position: Point Guard
Age: 19 (2/23/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’5″, 201 pounds, 6’7″
Slash Line: .454/.408/.783
Season Averages: 35.2 MPG, 20.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 3.1 3PM

Before Jamal Murray was mastering the art of being an explosive scorer, he was the No. 1 point guard recruit in the country. His court vision drew comparisons to elite NBA players, and his poise under pressure did the same.

Rather than crucifying Murray for being versatile enough to be the best scorer on a 27-win Kentucky Wildcats team, we should praise him for being versatile enough to be the best scorer on a 27-win Kentucky Wildcats team.

Seriously, how many players can flick the switch from explosive scorer to selfless playmaker without a moment’s notice?

Here’s a brief summary of the non-superstars who begin to qualify as such: Goran Dragic, Reggie Jackson, Kyle Lowry, Jeff Teague, and Isaiah Thomas—all of whom made the playoffs in 2016.

Murray, who has the added benefit of standing at 6’5″, is a better shooter than all five of those players.

Whether or not Murray is an elite prospect, he has the basketball IQ to play in the NBA for a very long time. He’s also an outstanding shooter who can convert off the bounce and work off-ball to create catch-and-shoot situations.

Murray is a taller Dragic with a stronger upper body. You want him on your team.

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