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Zach Johnson Foundation Classic 2025: Keegan Murray tees it up shortly after his 3rd season in the NBA
Sacramento Kings forward and former Iowa Hawkeye, Cedar Rapids Prairie grad has been subject of trade rumors this summer, which he knows is just part of being in professional sports
Jun. 30, 2025 6:30 pm
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CEDAR RAPIDS - It’s official. Keegan Murray is a NBA player.
Well, yeah, for three full seasons now. Duh.
But the Cedar Rapids Prairie grad and former Iowa Hawkeyes forward has definitely got to feel he’s part of The Association now because his name has been dropped in trade rumors.
The Sacramento Kings have a new general manager in Scott Perry, and certainly he is going to have ideas on how to improve a team considered not bad enough for a total rebuild nor good enough to be a serious contender in the Western Conference.
That’s where Murray comes in. His name was floated around prior to last week’s NBA Draft as a potential trade candidate and that other teams are interested in him. Though Kings beat writer Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee recently reported the club has no interest in trading him.
Murray has a year left on his rookie contract and will be a restricted free agent at the end of next season.
“I feel like that (talk) is going to happen at some point in your career,” Murray said Monday, prior to teeing off in the Zach Johnson Foundation Classic at Elmcrest Country Club. “No matter what player or stature you have in the NBA, that’s going to happen. It’s all part of the game. At the end of the day, the NBA is a business, so, honestly, you try not and listen to it.”
Murray averaged 12.4 points in 76 games this past season for the Kings, who lost to Dallas in the NBA’s postseason play-in tournament. That was down from the 15.2 points he averaged in 2023-24.
His shooting percentages also decreased slightly, though his rebounding average went up, as he played a lot of power forward for Sacramento. He also is considered an excellent defender.
“After three years, you obviously have an idea of what you need to work on and things like that. Just trying to take this summer, grow, just like each and every other year,” he said. “I think the biggest thing is the mental game. It’s a lot of little things that you pick up on, things from other players and things like that. There’s a lot to work on every single summer.”
Murray was one of five “celebrities” to play in the ZJFC, joining Philadelphia Eagles defensive back and Super Bowl champion Cooper DeJean, retired NFL player (and fellow former Hawkeye) Adrian Clayborn and Iowa football coaches Tim Lester and Seth Wallace.
The Classic is a fundraiser for Johnson’s “Kids On Course” program that benefits local students.
“Whenever I can come back to Cedar Rapids and be a part of something like this, it’s awesome. A great opportunity,” Murray said. “I’m 1-0 in Pro-Ams. I golfed at Prairie for four years and wasn’t great. In the NBA you get a little free time in the summer, so I got a little bit better. I hit it far, but that’s pretty much about it.”
This was the 15th Zach Johnson Foundation Classic and featured PGA Tour and LPGA Tour members/former members Jonathan Byrd, Will Chandler, Max Homa, Nick Hardy, Lee Hodges, Chris Kirk, Rickie Fowler, Matt Kuchar, Ryan Palmer, Greyson Sigg, Colt Knost, Maria Fassi, Sarah Kemp, Megan Khang, Alena Sharp and Aza Munoz.
A ton of autographs were signed for a good turnout on a comfortable weather day and a lot of money raised.
“If you had told me 20 years ago that we would have something like this: a full staff, a full arsenal of educators and mentors, coupling that and partnering with the school district, the teachers and the principals of our schools. Then giving these kids just a slight boost in and out of the classroom. I’d have said ‘What? You’re crazy,’” Johnson said. “But the beauty is this community is all about doing the right thing. It’s making the kids the forefront of every motivation.
“That’s our mission, to help their families and help them prosper in whatever they’re doing, from Grade One to post-high school. We’re going to follow them because they deserve it, and this community deserves it ... I’m humbled by this. It’s beyond gratifying.”
Comments: (319)-398-8258, jeff.johnson@thegazette.com
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