By CHIP MILLER
PADUCAH, K. – Roger Murray, the father of 2016 Orangeville Prep (Ontario) shooting guard Jamal Murray, told SNY.tv at the McCracken County Mustang Madness that reclassification is still a real possibility for his son.
Murray is currently the No. 11 shooting guard in the Class of 2016, according to 247Sports.com. He and his Orangeville Prep teammates will be on display Saturday evening at the Big Apple Basketball Invitational at Baruch College.
“It’s still in the mix, it’s out there, but we’re not putting any emphasis on it right now,” the elder Murray said of reclassifying. “We are going to see how the season ends and where he is at and where he feels. If it’s a good situation where it makes sense, then obviously [we would reclassify]. But he’s in no rush.”
Asked if there was a factor that could eventually sway that decision, Roger said: “I don’t think we are going to let one thing decide. I think we’re going to be very balanced about it. Look at the whole overall picture.”
“Right now, for the past probably, four years, he has been playing a lot of ball and he has no down time,” Murray continued. “After that we are looking at it, does he need a little bit of rest? He wants to hit the gym harder too, so we’re just looking at everything, balancing everything out basically.”
Numerous Canadian stars have reclassed in recent years — including former No. 1 NBA Draft picks Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett — but most do so upon coming South to the United States for high school. Murray opted to stay at Orangeville Prep, where he is playing alongside 7-footer Thon Maker, who appears to be on the brink of reclassing to 2015, too.
In the meantime, Murray continues to pick up offers and hear from coaches.
“Wake Forest and Maryland offered a month ago,” Murray stated. “Illinois, Louisville, Michigan, Oregon, Missouri, Wake Forest and Maryland are staying in contact.”
Murray continues to work on his game, but it’s also something that, over the years, he has grown into.
“As his trainer and his dad, he improves a lot but the thing is, he’s had this game for a long time” Roger Murray stated. “You’ve just got to see him enough games to see what he’s got. His vertical has improved, but otherwise he has basically grown into his game. He’s had his game since he was a kid coming up. The more you watch it, the more you get to see.”
As far as a timeline for visits or even a decision, everything is on hold for now.
“All on hold unless we are in a town where a school is, because it’s easier,” Roger Murray said. “Right now we’re going through the academics and make sure he keeps up his school work. Trying to get as much training in as possible and rest time. We basically get the offers and we’re thinking about all the schools and right now just thinking where is the best fit for Jamal coming up. It’s a process.”
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