Former DME Academy Athlete, Kris Murray, Likely First Round NBA Draft Pick
Kris Murray, DME Academy Post-Graduate basketball alumnus (‘20), is gearing up for the 2023 NBA Draft – and analysts anticipate he’ll be a hot pick.
The 6’8” forward for the University of Iowa has had an incredible basketball career so far, and will undoubtedly continue to dominate at the professional level. However, Murray wasn’t always a top prospect.
Kris Murray came to DME Academy as a 3-star recruit, knowing that he had potential that hadn’t yet been reached. Although he was initially unsure about attending a prep school program in Florida, visiting and experiencing the campus culture made him realize he had made the right decision. Kris said, “I was nervous coming to DME because it was the first time I had really been away from home, but when I arrived here, it felt like home. It’s ultimately a family environment and it put me at ease, and I’ve been enjoying it ever since.”
He spent his post-graduate year in Daytona Beach training alongside DME’s elite coaches and trainers, developing his game on and off the court, and competing in one of the country’s most competitive basketball conferences. A 247 Sports reporter described Kris and twin brother Keegan’s impressive development, stating, “They went to DME Academy and it became one of the best decisions they ever made.”
In October 2019, DME Academy hosted top competition like IMG Academy and MontVerde Academy at the DME Jamboree. Murray put on a show for fans and spectators, and gave top SEC, ACC, and Big Ten basketball coaches a new name to add to their watch lists. It was then that the offers started rolling in, and the Murray brothers chose to head back to their home state of Iowa to don the black and gold.
DME Academy retired Murray’s number (#25) in July 2022, after his impressive performance at the academy, and then at the college level. DME Academy Founder, Dan Panaggio, described it as an easy decision, stating, “Character, drive and dedication are all characteristics we demand of current and future DME student-athletes, and the Murray brothers are a perfect example of that.”
Analysts expect Murray to be picked up in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft, which will air on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 8pm ET on ABC and ESPN. To keep up with Murray’s draft status, follow along here.
To learn how you too can make your dreams a reality, check out DME Academy’s basketball program.
