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2016 NBA Draft Sleeper: Dejounte Murray

By Eric Laboissonniere

Dec 8, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Dejounte Murray (5) shoots a layup against the TCU Horned Frogs during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Dejounte Murray (5) shoots a layup against the TCU Horned Frogs during the first half at Alaska Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington’s Marquese Chriss has been getting a lot of hype for the upcoming 2016 NBA Draft, but team shouldn’t overlook the combo guard coming out of Washington in Dejounte Murray.

Both 2016 NBA Draft prospects coming out of the University of Washington are drawing a lot of attention recently, and one of those players could have a bright future as a combo guard in the NBA. That player is Dejounte Murray.

He will be able to either be a point guard or a 2-guard at the next level because of his great size and length, which makes him an intriguing late first round pick.

Murray is 6-foot-5 and he has a 6-foot-10 wingspan, and his size helps him out on both ends of the floor. He can disrupt passing lanes with his length, and he can attack the rim at will.

He did not shoot very well from deep in college (28.8 percent), but he’s a very raw prospect and has room for improvement. He has great athleticism for a player in the backcourt and possesses the potential to be a lockdown defender in the future.

Murray has a lot of upside and he is projected to get taken late in the first round or early in the second round. Murray could be a steal for any team that gets him in the second round; NBA teams will just have to be patient with Murray because he needs a little time to mature and polish his game.

Murray’s Outlook

One of the best things about Murray is the motor that he plays with. He never takes possessions off and he gives it his all on both ends of the floor. He can attack the rim at will and he is a good finisher.

If Murray can become a decent outside shooter, he will have a long career in the NBA because of his size, athleticism and his ability to finish at the rim.

In the NBA, Murray will have to put on a little more weight and learn how to control the ball a little better on the offensive end. He did not dominate in his time at Washington, but he did show flashes of why he can be a starting NBA point guard in the future.

Murray’s length and athleticism is what separates him from other backcourt draft prospects. He might not get as much attention as guards like Kris Dunn, Buddy Hield and Jamal Murray, but he has the potential to be a great combo guard at the next level.

Overall

Murray and Marquese Chriss are the two Washington products that have been getting a lot attention heading into the draft, and Murray has the upside to help an NBA team down the road.

He might not help out a team next year right away because he will need time to become a better long range shooter and he will need to take better care of the basketball.

But it doesn’t hurt that Murray is signed with Klutch Sports either. Murray has all the tools to become a successful guard at the next level, it just might take a little time for him to mature.

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He could be a big steal in this draft, and he could be picked from anywhere between pick No. 20 and pick No. 45.

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