Kings forward Keegan Murray named NBA All-Rookie First Team after record-breaking season
The Kings had high hopes for Keegan Murray when they selected him out of Iowa with the No. 4 pick in the 2022 NBA draft. He did not disappoint.
Murray was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team on Monday following a record-breaking season in Sacramento, where he quickly established himself as a starter while helping the Kings reach the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
Murray received 88 First Team votes, nine Second Team votes and 185 total points from a panel of 100 journalists and broadcasters who cover the league.
Murray was joined on the First Team by Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic; Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz; Bennedict Mathurin of the Indiana Pacers; and Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder. All-Rookie Second Team selections were Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey of the Detroit Pistons; Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. of the Houston Rockets; and Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs.
Murray is the 20th player in Kings franchise history and the 15th during the Sacramento era to earn All-Rookie honors. Other recent All-Rookie honorees include Tyrese Haliburton, who was a First Team selection in 2021, and Marvin Bagley III, who was a First Team selection in 2019.
Murray averaged 12.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.8 steals in his first season with the Kings. He shot 45.3% from the field, 41.1% from 3-point range and 76.5% at the free-throw line.
Murray smashed the rookie record for 3-point goals in a season with 206. Along the way, he surpassed the likes of Donovan Mitchell (187), Damian Lillard (185), Saddiq Bey (175), Anthony Edwards (171), Luka Doncic (168), Landry Shamet (167) and Stephen Curry (166).
Murray finished seventh among rookies in scoring, 10th in rebounding and 10th in steals. He was No. 1 in 3-point shooting percentage among rookies who appeared in more than 41 games.
Murray was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month in December and January. He scored 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting in his NBA debut against the Los Angeles Clippers on Oct. 22. He scored a career-high 30 points in a 140-120 win over the Rockets on Feb. 6, going 11 of 17 from the field and 8 of 12 from 3-point range.
