LOOK: Dejounte Murray calls out Paolo Banchero directly for starting new rivalry
A viral highlight moment from a Pro-Am basketball game has become full-blown beef between former friends Dejounte Murray and Paolo Banchero. Banchero, the Orlando Magic’s number one overall draft pick out of Duke, was on the receiving end of a disrespectful moment on the court that grew into much more after the game.
During their game, Murray got Banchero to bite on a fake pass that left Murray wide-open within a step of the basket. Murray took the moment to show off and give the rookie a taste of what an NBA All-Star can do — lobbing the ball off the backboard to himself for a dunk.
Murray then took the highlight and disrespect to the next level by grabbing the ball before Banchero could take the ball out of bounds and talking trash directly to the rookie’s face.
After the game, Banchero took to social media and called out Murray for unfollowing him on Instagram — warning Murray to be ready for the next time they play each other.
Murray then took the beef to the next level and explained fully for the public to see why he gave him the business on the court. According to Murray, Banchero used his status as a number one overall pick to talk trash to Murray — something he took personally after years of supporting each other publicly as Seattle-area hoopers.
Dejounte Murray responds to Paolo Banchero
“You tried to flex that #1 pick shit on me when I been rooting for you when you was a kid asking to rebound for me [Paolo]. Don’t get on this internet saying noting… you changed from the humble kid you always was and I stand on real shit boy and YOU KNOW! You made it and changed and I lost all respect!
“Stay humble. This life you in now is REAL and ain’t no joke! I STILL WANNA SEE YOU WIN cause that’s WHO I AM!”
With both Banchero and Murray commenting on the altercation now, it’s evident that the play rose above simple competitive fire on the court. Banchero mentioned in his message that Murray took it personal, and Murray’s comments seem to indicate that the thing he took personal was a comment or possible trash talk from Banchero about his draft status compared to Murray’s.
As the NBA season remains far away from starting, fans around the league will likely have to wait and see if their feud develops more by the time they meet on an NBA court — or if the pair of former friends will find a way to get over the new bad blood.