Kris Murray returning to Iowa men’s basketball team for another season

Hawkeye junior withdraws from NBA draft, is expected to have an expanded role with Iowa in 2022-23 season. “Kris will be awesome next year,” said Hawkeyes Coach Fran McCaffery.

Mike Hlas

Jun. 1, 2022 1:40 pm, Updated: Jun. 2, 2022 4:56 am

Iowa forward Kris Murray (24) celebrates hitting a 3-pointer during the Hawkeyes’ men’s basketball game at Purdue last Dec. 3. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Kris Murray is returning to the Iowa men’s basketball team for his junior season.

Murray announced Wednesday on Twitter that he was withdrawing from the 2022 NBA draft and returning to the Hawkeyes for his third year of college. The 6-foot-8 forward from Cedar Rapids Prairie averaged 9.7 points and 17.9 minutes per game last season.

Twitter

He started just one game, but was fourth on the Hawkeyes in scoring, third in rebounding, third in 3-pointers (43), and second in blocked shots (31) to his brother, All-America forward Keegan Murray.

Kris Murray had 29 points and 11 rebounds in a Jan. 13 win over Indiana, and scored 23 points against Purdue two weeks later.

“Everyone in our program is very excited to have Kris back,” said Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery. “We are happy that Kris had a positive experience going through the NBA process. He gained valuable feedback through workouts and conversations with NBA personnel. Kris will be awesome next year.”

Kris Murray entered the draft on April 14. He trained in Chicago in May with his brother, and worked out for NBA executives and scouts at Priority Sports’ Pro Day on May 21. He was invited to the NBA Draft Combine, but opted not to participate.