116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Iowa Barnstormers AAU hoops program rebrands to Murray Elite Basketball
Partnering with NBA players Keegan and Kris Murray and their father Kenyon
Jul. 23, 2024 5:09 pm, Updated: Jul. 23, 2024 7:04 pm
CEDAR RAPIDS — The Iowa Barnstormers AAU basketball program announced Tuesday it is partnering with the Murray family of Cedar Rapids and rebranding its name to Murray Elite Basketball.
NBA players Kris and Keegan Murray were part of the Barnstormers program at one point. Obviously they played college basketball at the University of Iowa, as did their father, Kenyon.
“This transformation marks a new chapter in Iowa grassroots basketball, emphasizing our commitment to developing well-rounded athletes through personalized coaching and a supportive community,” said a press release.
The Barnstormers long have been a prominent AAU program in the state. Many of its players over the years have gone on to play NCAA Division I college basketball.
A $1 million settlement was reached in a federal class-action lawsuit in 2022 brought by former players in the program after former Barnstormers coach Greg Stephen was given a life sentence after being convicted in 2018 of five counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count each of possession of child pornography and transportation of child pornography.
He sexually exploited over 400 boys in his 20 years in the program by covertly taking naked photos and videos of them.
Tuesday’s press release said “At Murray Elite Basketball, our mission is to foster the holistic development of athletes, focusing on instilling principles of discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Our philosophy is simple: Elevate Your Game and Master Your Journey.”
“The program did a great job of not only getting me to college but preparing me for the intensity and demand that college hoops brings,” former Iowa Mr. Basketball and North Linn High School and Upper Iowa University star Jake Hilmer said. :They are as connected as any program in the Midwest and are an example of everything that is right when it comes to AAU basketball.”
Comments: (319)-398-8258, jeff.johnson@thegazette.com
Daily Newsletters