University of North Texas Athletics
Photo by: Zach Del Bello
Q&A With JJ Murray
11/12/2021 1:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball
DENTON — In Tuesday's 84-53 home victory over Oklahoma Christian, the back-to-back Conference USA champion North Texas men's basketball team's starting lineup featured sixth-year senior JJ Murray.
A junior college transfer who walked-on to the Mean Green in 2018 and played just 19 total minutes in his first two years in Denton, Murray earned a scholarship leading into last season. As last year progressed Murray carved out a role for himself that grew. By the end of the season Murray was the first guard off the bench and became critical in the team's league tournament championship and 2021 NCAA Tournament run.
On Tuesday, Murray made his first career start. He played a team-high 32 minutes and had career-highs in points (13), rebounds (7), steals (4), and field goals made (5).
After Tuesday's win, Murray, who earned his mechanical engineer degree last spring took a few minutes to reflect on his journey from walk-on to team leader.
When you reflect on your path from a walk-on to now a starter what emotions does that invoke?
JM: Not sure. I don't reflect too much. Maybe later down the road I will. When you have so much in front of you between games and practices it's hard to sit back and reflect but someday for sure I will.
When you joined the Mean Green in 2018 did you ever imagine you'd be starting?
JM: No (laughs). I was just trying to get playing time and do whatever I could do to help the team win. In practice, in the weight room, in film, in games. I never focused on being a starting. I just focused on getting better the next day.
Has there been one thing that you would attribute to your personal success?
JM:I think first being consistent with my work ethic and expectations. Not looking too far ahead or something like that. And also making sure my focus was on the success of the team. If I do what's best for the team I'll get better as a player and of course earn playing time. Being around DJ Draper for a couple season was huge too because he was a great leader and example on how to be consistent and get better every day.
What's different about your role this year compared to last year other than being in the starting lineup?
JM: The biggest thing is probably the leadership responsibility. I've been here one of the longest now and I'm one of the oldest. I know the culture well and understand pretty well what needs to get done and we have a lot of newcomers so trying to get them accustomed with how things work around here.
What did you take away from last season's C-USA Tournament championship and NCAA Tournament success that you're bringing to this season?
JM: The expectation. Obviously we've always believed we could do what we did last year but when you actually do it you see and feel what it takes and you just have to embody that every day.
What would you like to be better at this year?
JM: Obviously always want to get better in all aspects of the game but most importantly I want to shoot the ball better and shoot a higher percentage.
You put on eight pounds this summer, why was that a point of emphasis?
JM: You've got to be ready. Sometimes you're going to be playing the four where guys are a lot bigger. And once you get to conference games where games are a lot more physical the extra weight is important.
A junior college transfer who walked-on to the Mean Green in 2018 and played just 19 total minutes in his first two years in Denton, Murray earned a scholarship leading into last season. As last year progressed Murray carved out a role for himself that grew. By the end of the season Murray was the first guard off the bench and became critical in the team's league tournament championship and 2021 NCAA Tournament run.
On Tuesday, Murray made his first career start. He played a team-high 32 minutes and had career-highs in points (13), rebounds (7), steals (4), and field goals made (5).
After Tuesday's win, Murray, who earned his mechanical engineer degree last spring took a few minutes to reflect on his journey from walk-on to team leader.
When you reflect on your path from a walk-on to now a starter what emotions does that invoke?
JM: Not sure. I don't reflect too much. Maybe later down the road I will. When you have so much in front of you between games and practices it's hard to sit back and reflect but someday for sure I will.
When you joined the Mean Green in 2018 did you ever imagine you'd be starting?
JM: No (laughs). I was just trying to get playing time and do whatever I could do to help the team win. In practice, in the weight room, in film, in games. I never focused on being a starting. I just focused on getting better the next day.
Has there been one thing that you would attribute to your personal success?
JM:I think first being consistent with my work ethic and expectations. Not looking too far ahead or something like that. And also making sure my focus was on the success of the team. If I do what's best for the team I'll get better as a player and of course earn playing time. Being around DJ Draper for a couple season was huge too because he was a great leader and example on how to be consistent and get better every day.
What's different about your role this year compared to last year other than being in the starting lineup?
JM: The biggest thing is probably the leadership responsibility. I've been here one of the longest now and I'm one of the oldest. I know the culture well and understand pretty well what needs to get done and we have a lot of newcomers so trying to get them accustomed with how things work around here.
What did you take away from last season's C-USA Tournament championship and NCAA Tournament success that you're bringing to this season?
JM: The expectation. Obviously we've always believed we could do what we did last year but when you actually do it you see and feel what it takes and you just have to embody that every day.
What would you like to be better at this year?
JM: Obviously always want to get better in all aspects of the game but most importantly I want to shoot the ball better and shoot a higher percentage.
You put on eight pounds this summer, why was that a point of emphasis?
JM: You've got to be ready. Sometimes you're going to be playing the four where guys are a lot bigger. And once you get to conference games where games are a lot more physical the extra weight is important.
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