WGL Sports Performer of the Day (2/17/17)

Denver Nuggets Shooting Guard Jamal Murray (36 points, 11 assists, 4 rebounds)

On a very quiet night in sports, our Sports Performer of the Day comes from an exhibition game. The NBA’s All-Star weekend is upon us, and Friday’s action concluded with the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Game, featuring 10 first or second year players from the USA taking on 10 first or second year players from the World. In a game predictably lacking anything resembling defense, Denver Nuggets rookie shooting guard Jamal Murray led the World team to a 150-141 win. Murray scored a game-high 36 points, dished out 11 assists, and had 4 rebounds to take home MVP honors. He shot 9 for 14 from three-point range, and was unconscious from the perimeter down the stretch, scoring 27 of his points in the second half.

It was quite the shooting performance from Murray, as he put up numbers above and beyond anything he has done in a Nuggets uniform so far this season. His career high in a meaningful game with Denver is 24 points. Murray, who was the #7 overall pick out of Kentucky this past June, is having a so-so season thus far. He is averaging 8.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in about 20 minutes per game. He really struggled in his first few games while adjusting to the pro game, but he has started to come on as of late. Still just 19 years old, Murray has loads of potential, and Friday night’s performance (defense aside) showcased some of that.