Jamal Murray
Born 1997 · Age 28
Canadian professional basketball player (point guard) for the Denver Nuggets, 7th overall pick in 2016 NBA Draft, NBA champion (2023), longtime member of Canadian national teams and Kentucky alumnus.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Kitchener, Ontario
Jamal Murray is born to Sylvia and Roger Murray in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.
Early basketball passion reported
Reported that at age three he could play basketball for hours; early childhood development in the sport began.
Playing up in youth leagues (age 6)
At age six Murray played in a league for ten-year-olds, indicating early advanced skill.
Competing with older players in pick-up games
By age 12–13 Murray began playing pick-up games against top high school and college players.
Residence at Rosebud Motel while at Orangeville Prep
While attending Orangeville Prep he and other athletes lived for two years at the Rosebud Motel (notable local landmark). Approx. 2012–2014.
FIBA Americas U16 Championship – bronze medal and team leader
Represented Canada at the 2013 FIBA Americas U16 Championship; averaged 17.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 2.4 SPG, leading Canada to bronze.
Jordan Brand Classic International Game MVP
Named MVP at the 2013 Jordan Brand Classic International Game — second Canadian to win this award.
Transfer to Orangeville Prep (high school)
Attended Grand River Collegiate then transferred to Orangeville Prep in Orangeville, Ontario; father served as assistant coach.
BioSteel All-Canadian Basketball Game MVP
Named MVP of the 2015 BioSteel All-Canadian Basketball Game (top Canadian high-school players).
Played for Canada at 2015 Pan American Games — silver medal
Represented Canada at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto; helped team win silver; averaged 16.0 PPG.
Named to Wooden and Naismith midseason watchlists
Featured on the Midseason Top 25 list for the John R. Wooden Award and included on the 35-man Naismith Trophy midseason watchlist (2015–16 season).
Nike Hoop Summit MVP
Scored a game-high 30 points at the 2015 Nike Hoop Summit and was named MVP.
Reclassified and committed to Kentucky
Reclassified to the class of 2015 and committed to play college basketball at the University of Kentucky under John Calipari.
Career earnings note (source compilation)
Basketball-reference notes Murray has made at least $172,763,706 in professional basketball earnings (total through 2025). Used as reference for earnings/net worth estimates.
Kentucky freshman season — 20.0 PPG
As a freshman (2015–16) appeared in 36 games and averaged 20.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG and 2.2 APG; highest PPG by any freshman in Kentucky program history.
Declared for the 2016 NBA Draft
Declared for the NBA draft, forgoing remaining college eligibility.
Selected 7th overall in 2016 NBA Draft by Denver Nuggets
Picked by the Denver Nuggets with the 7th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Signed rookie-scale contract with Denver Nuggets
Signed his rookie scale contract with the Nuggets (standard multi-year rookie contract for his draft slot).
Early-career scoring mark: 19 points (then career-high)
Scored a then career-high 19 points in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Improved career-high: 24 points vs Chicago
Scored 24 points in a win over the Chicago Bulls, raising his career high.
Named Western Conference Rookie of the Month (Oct/Nov)
Earned NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors for games played in Oct/Nov 2016.
Named to NBA All-Rookie Second Team
Named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team for the 2016–17 season.
Rising Stars Challenge MVP
Named MVP of the 2017 Rising Stars Challenge after posting 36 points and 11 assists for Team World.
Career-high 30 points (regular season)
Scored a then career-high 30 points in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Career-high 32 points (Nov 11, 2017)
Scored a then career-high 32 points in a win over the Orlando Magic.
Career-high 38 points (Jan 22, 2018)
Scored a career-high 38 points, including a decisive three-point play in the final minute, vs Portland.
Career-high 48 points vs Boston
Scored a career-high 48 points in a win over the Boston Celtics.
Career-high 15 assists
Recorded a career-high 15 assists along with 22 points in a home win over Dallas.
46 points and 9 three-pointers vs Phoenix
Scored 46 points and made a career-high nine 3-pointers in a win over the Suns.
Playoff 34-point performance in 4OT loss
Posted a then playoff-career-high 34 points in a 4-overtime loss to the Portland Trail Blazers (Game 3, 2019 playoffs).
Signed 5-year, $170M maximum contract extension
Agreed to a reported 5-year, $170 million maximum extension with the Denver Nuggets (first day of free agency period).
Game-winning step-back jumper vs Suns
Hit a game-winning step-back jumper with 2.5 seconds remaining in overtime to beat the Phoenix Suns on the road.
Strong regular-season stretch (Feb 2020)
After an ankle injury, returned and averaged 31.3 PPG over a four-game stretch, including a 36-point outburst on Feb 8 vs Suns.
Playoffs: 36 points & 9 assists in Game 1 in NBA Bubble
Scored 36 points and added 9 assists (20 in 4th/O/T) to lead Nuggets to a Game 1 victory over Jazz in Orlando bubble playoffs.
Career-high 50 points in 2020 playoffs (Game 4 vs Jazz)
Erupted for a career-high 50 points, with 11 rebounds and 7 assists in a playoff loss to Utah; historic duel with Donovan Mitchell (51).
42 points to stave elimination (Game 5)
Recorded 42 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists in a must-win Game 5 vs Jazz to keep Denver alive in the series.
Another 50-point game in playoffs (Game 6)
Scored 50 points (9-of-12 from three) to help force Game 7 in the series vs Utah.
Clinched series with 40 points in Game 7 vs Clippers
Scored 40 points and hit six threes to lead Denver to a series-clinching Game 7 win over the Los Angeles Clippers; Nuggets first Western Conference Finals berth since 2009.
Missed the entire 2021–22 season recovering from ACL
Did not play in 2021–22 while rehabbing his torn ACL; Nuggets lost in first round without him.
Scored 50 points without a free throw attempt
Scored a then career-high 50 points in a win over the Cavaliers — first player in NBA history to record 50 points without attempting a free throw.
Tore ACL (left knee) and ruled out indefinitely
Suffered a torn ACL during a game vs Golden State Warriors; announced out indefinitely and later underwent surgery.
Underwent ACL surgery
Underwent surgery on his torn left ACL and was confirmed to remain out indefinitely.
Agreed to 3-year commitment to Canada senior men's national team
Announced a three-year commitment to play with the Canadian senior men's national team (May 24, 2022).
Returned to NBA action after 18 months out
Played his first game in 18 months (Oct 19, 2022), scoring 12 points in a loss to the Utah Jazz.
Game-winning three vs Portland
Scored 21 points including a game-winning three-pointer as time expired to beat the Trail Blazers 121–120.
Season-high 34 vs Lakers (regular season)
Scored a then-season-high 34 points in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Jan 9, 2023.
Season-high 41 points vs Hawks
Scored a season-high 41 points with 5 rebounds and 7 assists in a win over Atlanta.
Became Nuggets all-time leader in 3-pointers made
Made his 805th career three-pointer to surpass Will Barton as the Denver Nuggets' all-time leader in made 3s.
Franchise record: fifth 40-point postseason game
Scored 40 in Game 2 of the first-round series vs Minnesota — his fifth 40-point postseason game, passing Alex English for franchise record.
Historic Conference Finals performance (Game 2)
Scored 37 with 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals to help the Nuggets take a 2–0 lead over the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.
Dominant first-half explosion (Conference Finals Game 3)
Scored 30 of 37 points in the first half of Game 3 vs Lakers, helping to put Denver up 3–0 in the series.
Helped Nuggets sweep Lakers to reach first NBA Finals
Contributed 25 points in Game 4 as the Nuggets completed a 4-game sweep and advanced to their first-ever NBA Finals.
NBA Finals strong start with Joker (Game 1)
Put up 26 points and 10 assists in Game 1 of the NBA Finals; with Nikola Jokić they became the second pair of teammates to each record 25+ points and 10+ assists in a Finals game since 1987.
30-point triple-double in NBA Finals (Game 3)
Posted a 30-point triple-double (34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) in a Finals game; and with Jokić became the first teammates to record 30-point triple-doubles in the same game.
First player with 10+ assists in each of first four Finals games
Recorded at least 10 assists in each of his first four NBA Finals games — an NBA first.
Record in Conference Finals: 30 PPG on 50/40/90 shooting
Became the first player in NBA history to average 30 PPG on 50/40/90 shooting in the Conference Finals.
Won first NBA championship (Denver Nuggets)
Helped lead the Denver Nuggets to their first NBA championship in franchise history (NBA Champion 2023).
Named to Canada's roster for 2024 Summer Olympics (Paris)
Named to the Canadian national team roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Buzzer-beating game-winner to complete 20-pt comeback vs Lakers
Hit a buzzer-beating, game-winning fadeaway over Anthony Davis to complete a 20-point comeback in Game 2 of the first round against the Lakers.
Scored 32 including series-clinching go-ahead shot in Game 5
Despite a strained calf, scored 32 points and hit a 14-foot game-winner with 1.5 seconds left to eliminate the Lakers (Game 5).
Bench outburst — threw objects during Game 2 vs Timberwolves
Threw a heat pack and towel toward the court while on the bench during Game 2 of the Conference Semifinals; disciplinary incident.
Fined $100,000 by NBA (no suspension)
Fined $100,000 by the NBA for tossing multiple objects toward the court during Game 2 (May 7, 2024 fine announced).
Nuggets eliminated in seven games by Timberwolves
Denver lost the Western Conference Semifinals in seven games; Murray scored 35 points in the Game 7 loss.
Signed 4-year, $208M maximum contract extension
Agreed to a 4-year, $208 million contract extension with the Denver Nuggets (reported Sept 7, 2024).
Revealed to be a father (daughter aged 18 months)
In January 2025 it was revealed Murray is a father to an 18-month-old daughter; Murray has spoken about fatherhood publicly.
Season-high 45 points vs Dallas
Scored a then season-high 45 points (32 in the first half) in a 118–99 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
Career-high 55 points vs Portland; Canadian single-game record
Scored a career-high 55 points in a 132–121 win over the Portland Trail Blazers — the most points in an NBA game by a Canadian player (surpassing 54).
43 points in Game 5 of first-round playoff series vs Clippers
Scored 43 points (17/26 FG, 8/14 3PT) in a 131–115 Game 5 win to give Nuggets a 3–2 series lead — his sixth 40+ playoff game, franchise record.
Playoff availability amid illness (May 11–19 period)
Played through/was available for multiple playoff games (May 11–19, 2025) vs Oklahoma City; recorded notable performances and was listed as probable/available multiple times.
Game 7 loss to Oklahoma City; recorded 13 points
In a decisive Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals, Murray scored 13 points in a losing effort (series loss to the Thunder).
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