Keegan Murray Earns Second Consecutive Western Conference Rookie of the Month
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray was named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in January, the NBA announced today.
The fourth overall selection in the 2022 NBA Draft, Murray averaged 14.0 points (51.0 FG%, 49.5 3pt%, 93.3 FT%), 5.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 32.2 minutes per game in 15 games (15 starts) during the month of January. . Murray also received NBA Rookie of the Month honors for December.
Murray had his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Jan. 18 and followed that performance up with career highs of 29 points (10-12 FG, 5 -7 3pt) and 14 rebounds in a win over Oklahoma City on Jan. 20. He became the second rookie this season with 25 points and 10 rebounds in a game and the first Kings rookie with double-doubles in consecutive games since the 2018-19 season. Murray finished the month with 20 points (7-11 FG, 6-7 3pt) and nine boards in a win over Memphis and a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double at Minnesota on Jan. 30.
The freshman forward receives his second Rookie of the Month honor after leading all rookies in 3-pointers made (48), which set an NBA record for 3-pointers made by a rookie in January. Murray also led all rookies in 3-point shooting percentage, 3-point field goals per game (3.2) and five-plus-3 games (3). The former Iowa product tied for ninth in the NBA in 3-pointers made and fourth in 3-point field goal percentage (min. 1 3PM/GM, 10 GP). Among rookies in January, Murray was second in total rebounds (89), tied for second in double-doubles (3), third in total points (210), fourth in points per game and fifth in rebounds per game.
Among all rookies this season, Murray currently ranks first in 3-point field goals (119), second in 3-point shooting percentage (42.2%) and fourth in scoring (12.3). and the total points (579).
Murray is the fourth Kings rookie to win Rookie of the Month in consecutive months and the fifth to win the award multiple times.