Everyone is raving about Buddy Hield and deservedly so.
However, Kentucky shooting guard Jamal Murray is a better NBA prospect.
Jamal Murray declares officially for the NBA Draft and will not return
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) April 1, 2016
The Canadian hooper averaged 20 points per game during his lone year in Lexington, which is the most by any freshman under John Calipari.
Now, why is Murray a better pro prospect than Buddy?
We all know Buddy is the best shooter in the country, but Murray isn’t too far behind in that department. Hield shoots a ridiculous 46% from distance, Murray is shooting 40%.
With both prospects being exceptional shooters, you must look at what distinguishes the two and one thing that stands out is ball-handling and slashing ability.
Yes, Buddy has improved in this category, but he still has plenty of room to go, while Murray is capable of being a legit combo-guard. Murray also has an inch on Hield, standing at 6-foot-5, so with his ability to get into the lane and create for others, it makes him more appealing to NBA guys.
Having said all of that, the main factor is age difference.
The NBA tends to look down on guys who stayed in college all four years.
Hied is 22, while Murray is only 19, which makes his ceiling much higher in the eyes of executives and scouts.
Nonetheless, after Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram, things are pretty wide open, so it wouldn’t come as a surprise if Buddy gets selected before Murray, but if we’re looking at upside, Murray should go before the Oklahoma superstar.
