Kris Murray, Iowa basketball sophomore, invited to NBA Draft Combine

In April, Iowa males’s basketball ahead Kris Murray declared for the 2022 NBA Draft. On Tuesday, his course of took one other step ahead. The sophomore obtained an invite to the NBA Mix, in accordance with a report from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. The Register has been capable of verify the report. The mix will happen subsequent week in Chicago from Might 16-22. 

Kris Murray joins twin brother Keegan as a mix invitee. Keegan is a projected lottery decide whereas Kris goes by means of the draft course of however is protecting his faculty eligibility. 

Murray averaged 9.7 factors and 4.3 rebounds whereas capturing 48% from the sector and 38% from three-point vary, second-highest on Iowa’s crew. Murray progressed from a seldom-used freshman to a key bench participant for Iowa en path to their first Huge Ten championship since 2006. His breakout season led to some NBA Draft buzz. 

Extra:Iowa basketball missed on two high switch portal choices. This is who to look at now.

“It is nearly like Kris is the place Keegan was final 12 months, besides he is rising right into a extra substantial offensive function,” ESPN analyst Jay Bilas mentioned earlier this 12 months. “When Keegan was out that sport towards Indiana (the place Kris scored a career-high 29 factors), I do know they’re twins, however you are nearly doing a double-take like, ‘Did they swap jerseys?’” 

The mix is commonly notably necessary for early entrants who’ve but to determine whether or not or to not keep within the draft. The suggestions they get on the mix may go a good distance towards dictating whether or not they maintain their names within the draft or return to high school for one more 12 months.

A strong mix efficiency may transfer Kris Murray firmly into the second spherical of the draft, or he may return and with one other breakout 12 months doubtlessly develop into a primary spherical decide.  June 1 is the deadline for faculty gamers who’re eligible to play for a minimum of extra one season to retain their NCAA eligibility should withdraw their names from the draft pool.

Extra:Iowa basketball’s Josh Ogundele returning to Hawkeyes following stint in switch portal

“I feel it exposes you to what the method is,” Iowa coach McCaffery mentioned of Kris getting into the NBA Draft course of. “A part of it’s exercises, a part of it’s interviews — simply getting a deal with on what they’re on the lookout for. He is a man who’s going to do effectively in these conditions. 

“I might be excited for him to return again. He took an unbelievable step final 12 months. We noticed that and I feel he is able to take one other one. Sort of like his brother.”

Kennington Lloyd Smith III covers Iowa Hawkeyes soccer and males’s basketball for the Des Moines Register. You’ll be able to join with Kennington on Twitter @SkinnyKenny_ or e mail him at ksmith@gannett.com.