Introduction
Murray State University is a public university located in Murray, Kentucky. It is best known for its NCAA Division I basketball program, which has produced many successful players who have gone on to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). One such player is Isaiah Canaan, who attended Murray State from 2010-2013 and was drafted by the Houston Rockets in 2013. In this article, we will take a look at Isaiah Canaan’s career at Murray State and how it prepared him for the NBA.
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Background
Isaiah Canaan was born on May 21, 1991, in Biloxi, Mississippi. He attended high school at Parkview Arts and Science Magnet School in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was a standout basketball player. In his senior year, he was selected to the Arkansas All-State team and was an all-conference player. After high school, he decided to attend Murray State University in Kentucky.
College Career at Murray State
Isaiah Canaan was a four-year starter at Murray State and was named to the Ohio Valley Conference’s All-Newcomer Team in 2010. He earned All-OVC honors in each of his four seasons and was named OVC Player of the Year twice (2011 and 2013). He finished his college career with 2,103 points, which ranks him second all-time in school history. He also holds the school’s all-time record for 3 point field goals made with 392.
In addition to his scoring prowess, Canaan was also known for his leadership and intangibles. He was a leader on the court and in the locker room, and his presence was felt by his teammates. He was a three-time captain for Murray State and was credited for helping the team make three NCAA Tournament appearances.
NBA Draft
After a successful career at Murray State, Isaiah Canaan declared for the 2013 NBA Draft. He was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 34th overall pick.
NBA Career
Isaiah Canaan’s NBA career has been somewhat of a roller coaster ride, as he has been traded multiple times and has played for several teams. He has played for the Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns, and Milwaukee Bucks. He has also spent time in the G-League and overseas in Israel. Despite his nomadic career, Canaan has had some success in the NBA. He has averaged 8.3 points per game in his career and has shot 38.7% from 3-point range.
Conclusion
Isaiah Canaan is a prime example of the type of player that Murray State can produce. He was a standout player at the university and was able to parlay his success into an NBA career. He has had a somewhat tumultuous career in the NBA, but he has shown that he can be a reliable scoring option off the bench. He is a great example of a player who was able to take his game to the next level after playing at Murray State.