‘Thank You God’: San Antonio Spurs’ Dejounte Murray Celebrates First NBA All-Star Selection

Published: February 22, 2022

‘Thank You God’: San Antonio Spurs’ Dejounte Murray Celebrates First NBA All-Star Selection

By Movieguide® Staff

In his sixth season of professional basketball, Dejounte Murray of the San Antonio Spurs made his first appearance as an NBA All-Star.

The 25-year-old replaced Golden State Warriors’ injured forward Draymond Green to play in the NBA All-Star game in Cleveland, Ohio.

“Wow I’m Thankful and Grateful! It’s A Reality Now,” Murray wrote in a tweet. “Thank You God.”

I Remember Sitting In The Green Room And Being Judged Cause Of My Past As A Kid And The @spurs Knew I Didn’t Have Guidance And Needed A Opportunity. I Remember Tearing My ACL And People Thought It Was Over For Me. Wow I’m Thankful And Grateful! It’s A Reality Now. Thank You God🙏🏽 https://t.co/FUiieuorMj

— Dejounte Murray (@DejounteMurray) February 8, 2022

Murray reflected on his life before basketball, noting that many teams passed him up due to his history in juvenile detention.

“I got active in the streets at 11 years old,” Murray told Yahoo Sports in 2020. “When I mean active in the streets, not just on the corner; they knew my name when I got on the block.”

However, after one season at the University of Washington, Murray became a top draft option for NBA teams: on paper. Due to his history, he dropped to the San Antonio Spurs with the 29th pick in the 2016 draft.

“I didn’t expect to land at 29, but at the end of the day, that’s what God had written for me and I wouldn’t change it for nothing,” Murray told KENS 5. “And I’m not saying this because of the success that I’ve had in my career, through the good and bad, but the Spurs organization was just perfect for me.”

“It was written by God and God put [Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and I] in each other’s life for a reason,” he added.

Despite early success as a backup option behind All-Star point guard Tony Parker, in 2018, he tore his ACL. While not career-ending as it once was, Murray’s injury left him sidelined for the rest of the 2018-2019 season.

After a year of rehab, Murray played some of his best seasons in the NBA.

“I’m just thankful that my peers, the coaches and even the media, you guys realize [my ability], see my growth each and every year,” Murray told KENS 5. “That’s huge to me, more than being an All-Star. Obviously, I know this is a huge thing, but ain’t nothing like being respected, working hard and being willing to learn.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dejounte Murray (@dejountemurray)

Murray played a total of 27 minutes with 17 points in the 2022 All-Star game on Feb. 20.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CX4wcsTMgKP/

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What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.