Last Updated on April 19, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Kris Murray
  • Nickname: Kris
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: August 19, 2000
  • Hometown: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
  • Weight: 215 lbs (98 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 ft 11 in (211 cm)
  • Shoe Size: US 15
  • Jersey Number:
    • #24 — Iowa Hawkeyes
    • #24 — Portland Trail Blazers
  • Position: Small Forward / Power Forward
  • High School:
    • Prairie High School (Iowa)
  • College:
    • University of Iowa (2020–2023)
  • NBA Draft:
    • 2023 — Round 1, Pick 23 — Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers
  • Player Archetype: Two-Way Combo Forward
  • Primary Offensive Role: Floor-spacing forward with complementary scoring and transition finishing
  • Defensive Role: Versatile forward defender guarding wings and small-ball fours
  • Play Style: Efficient, team-oriented forward who thrives off-ball, attacks gaps, and contributes across categories
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right-handed
  • Athletic Profile: Fluid mover with solid coordination and length; functional athlete rather than explosive
  • Recruiting Status:
    • 3-star recruit (lightly recruited; late developmental rise)
  • Draft Status Detail:
    • Productive college breakout player who rose into first-round range due to versatility, size, and two-way projection
  • Injury Status Category:
    • Durable — no significant injury history entering the NBA
  • Career Stage: Early Career Rotation Forward
  • Comparison Style: Versatile forward with scalable offense and positional defensive flexibility
  • Comparable Players:
    • Harrison Barnes — steady two-way forward with scoring versatility
    • Tobias Harris — efficient combo forward with balanced offense
    • Shane Battier — role-driven forward with defensive IQ
  • Teams Played For:
    • Portland Trail Blazers (2023–present)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Parents: Kenyon Murray (father), Michelle Murray (mother)
  • Children: None
  • Siblings: Keegan Murray (twin brother)
  • Athlete Relatives: Keegan Murray (NBA player); Kenyon Murray (former Iowa basketball player)

Kris Murray’s player archetype is a two-way combo forward, defined by his ability to impact both ends without needing high usage. Offensively, he operates as a complementary scorer who spaces the floor, runs in transition, and capitalizes on off-ball opportunities, while defensively he brings versatility to guard multiple forward spots with positional awareness and effort. Physically, he offers a well-proportioned 6’8″ frame with solid length and coordination, allowing him to play either forward position effectively. His play style is grounded in efficiency and adaptability—he doesn’t force offense, instead fitting into team structure while providing reliable defense, rebounding, and opportunistic scoring.

Sources:
NBA.com — Trail Blazers Select Kris Murray With No. 23 Pick In 2023 NBA Draft
ESPN — Kris Murray Draft Profile
The Athletic — Kris Murray’s rise from overlooked recruit to first-round NBA Draft pick