 "Photo: The Independent")
The 6-foot-2-inch point guard from Portland State is starting to show what he can do for his new team, the Vancouver Volcanoes.
Andre Murray is new to the International Basketball League, but has adjusted as he leads the league in scoring, with 29.8 points per game.
“For me, individually, I have had much success but it’s not about individualism when you want to win,” Murray said.
The Vancouver Volcanoes have started Murray in all 12 games so far, and the team has gone 8-4.
According to head coach Bryan Hunter the team knew Murray was a scorer from the beginning. “The other team has to focus so much on Murray that it is creating so many other opportunities for everybody else on the court,” he said.
During Murray’s two years at PSU he started 55 games, with the Vikings winning 41 them. His PSU teammate Jeremiah Dominguez was a two-time conference player of the year which, according to Hunter, made Murray a player that most people would overlook.
Murray grew up and went to high school in the Los Angeles area. He lettered in track and field as well as basketball at Cleveland High School. Murray has been in the Metro area for three years.
“Not used to the rain, but it grew on me,” he said. “Things are looking good for me in the Oregon/Washington area.”
Besides playing basketball, Murray likes to read, hop onto the computer, listen to some music, and travel.
May 2, Murray lead his team with a season high of 40 points versus the USA All Stars, hitting 83.3 percent of his shots from the field.
“(Murray) meshes great with the Volcanoes because he is a hard worker and he wants to win,” teammate Kevin "Pip" Bloodsaw said. “Andre is off to a good start and I think he will do just fine.”
The 22-year-old point guard has a few options for the future. He has traveled to Germany, the Netherlands, and Japan--all for basketball.
The Volcanoes will be traveling to Japan at the end of the season to showcase the team's talent. Hunter believes this showcase could be great for Murray to get picked up by a Japanese team.
“Right now the skies are the limit," Murray said. "I am going to try to do whatever I can while I’m young.”
Contact Katie Unverzagt at kunve4441@students.clark.edu.
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