Coming into this past season with the Kentucky Wildcats, the story was obviously about the freshman as it always seems to be when it comes to a John Calipari coached team in college hoops. However, much of the focus was put on big man Skal Labissiere. As far as freshman for Kentucky go, though, it was combo-guard Jamal Murray that really exploded in Lexington and should be the first Wildcat off the board, going here to the New Orleans Pelicans at No. 6.
Though Murray struggled shooting from the outside at various points throughout the season and never showed quite the consistency that you’d want in that regard, he undoubtedly has the potential to be a threat to score both on the perimeter and as an attacker off of the dribble. It didn’t totally shine in his one year at Kentucky, but Murray at least has the potential to be a valuable defensive asset as well.
For a Pelicans team that was wholly disappointing this past season as they failed to make it into the postseason by a wide margin and that could use a fresh group of young guards to help move into the future with, Murray would be a fantastic place to start.
Next: No. 7 Nuggets