Murray State University, located in Murray, Kentucky, is a public university with a long history of excellence in athletics. Over the years, the school has been home to several former NBA players, including some of the most recognizable names in the league. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most famous NBA players who attended Murray State.
Ricky Rubio
The first Murray State University alumnus to make it to the NBA was Ricky Rubio. He was drafted fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2009 NBA Draft. He was the first Spanish player to ever be drafted in the first round. Rubio played for the Wolves for six seasons and then joined the Utah Jazz in 2017. He currently plays for the Phoenix Suns, where he is averaging 14.4 points, 8.7 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Isaiah Canaan
Isaiah Canaan was drafted 34th overall by the Houston Rockets in 2013. He spent two seasons with the team before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. He then had brief stints with the Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, and Minnesota Timberwolves. He currently plays for the Atlanta Hawks, where he is averaging 10.1 points and 2.3 assists per game.
Cameron Payne
Cameron Payne was drafted 14th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015. He played two seasons with the team before being traded to the Chicago Bulls in 2017. He then signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018 but left the team shortly after. He currently plays for the Phoenix Suns, where he is averaging 7.1 points and 3.1 assists per game.
Jeep Jackson
Jeep Jackson was drafted 18th overall by the Chicago Bulls in 1984. He played one season with the Bulls before being traded to the New Jersey Nets. He then went on to have stints with the Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs, and Phoenix Suns. He is currently a free agent, having not played in the NBA since the 1997-98 season.
Darnell Dodson
Darnell Dodson was drafted 60th overall by the Miami Heat in 2010. He played one season with the team before being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans. He then had brief stints with the Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves. He is currently a free agent, having not played in the NBA since the 2011-12 season.
Conclusion
Murray State University has a long history of producing talented NBA players. From Ricky Rubio to Cameron Payne, the university has been home to some of the most recognizable names in the league. While some of these players have achieved great success, others have not been as fortunate. Regardless, Murray State has established itself as a school that can produce talented NBA players.