Here’s my interview on Jamal Murray with Tom Leach:
As of Monday night, Canadian point guard Jamal Murray of Orangeville Prep (Ontario) is on an official visit to Kentucky, his father told SNY.tv.
Kentucky and Oregon are among the schools working hard to land Murray.
“We’re taking a couple visits, I’m not sure the date yet or exactly how we’re going to do it but we’ll be taking some visits for sure,” Roger Murray recently told SNY.tv.
Larry Blunt, the Orangeville Prep coach, raved about Jamal Murray’s skill set.
“He’s a walking triple-double with size like Jason Kidd but a much better scorer,” Blunt told SNY.tv. “He’s super competitive with a will to win like Mike [Jordan] and Kobe [Bryant]. He does not like to lose anything. Video games, kick ball, checkers, chess, class. Jamal wants to win in everything. He’s hyper-competitive.”
The 6-foot-5 Murray could have visited Kentucky recently during the Nike EYBL stop in Lexington, but ended up not making the trip with CIA Bounce.
Kentucky coach John Calipari then met with Murray in Ontario, with Roger telling SNY.tv the Wildcats were ready to take him “anytime,” — 2015 or 2016.
Kentucky already has two point guards next season in rising sophomore Tyler Ulis along with incoming McDonald’s All-American Isaiah Briscoe of Roselle (N.J.) Catholic. Kentucky also has JUCO shooting guard Mychal Mulder committed for 2015, along with wing Charles Matthews and center Skal Labissiere.
“You want to play and to get better with other players and obviously get time to play,” Roger said. “That’s why there’s not a rush because you gotta really look at everything.”
Meantime, Oregon is heavily involved for Murray, but the Ducks recently landed Villanova point guard Dylan Ennis, a fellow Canadian.
“We’re still involved with Oregon,” Roger said. “I’m looking at the all the offers and who’s interested relationship-wise. We still talk to Oregon.”
Murray drew increased interest from Kentucky and Duke after he scored 30 points to lead the World Team to the Nike Hoop Summit title over the U.S. last month and then dropped 29 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds in a loss in the BioSteel All-Canadian All-Star Game in Toronto on April 14.
Meantime, it remains unclear whether Murray will reclass to 2015 or remain in 2016. He is currently projected as the No. 21 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by DraftExpress.com, meaning he could either go pro after one year in college or go straight out of Orangeville Prep in 2016.
“It’s a process, man,” Roger said. “We’re not leaving any stones unturned, just going through it till the end.”
