Ole Miss guard Matthew Murrell declares for NBA Draft but keeping eligibility status
While new Ole Miss men’s basketball head coach Chris Beard has received good news from several current players about returning for next season there is one key piece he will have to wait a little longer on.
Junior guard Matthew Murrell announced on Tuesday he will enter the 2023 NBA Draft while maintaining his eligibility by not signing with an agent. This allows Murrell to test the NBA Draft process and keeping the option open to return to Ole Miss.
Murrell announced his decision on his personal social media accounts.
“To my teammates, the Ole Miss coaching staff and the Ole Miss community, I want to take a moment to express my appreciation for the incredible support and guidance you have all given me during these last three amazing years,” Murrell’s announcement read. It has been an unforgettable journey, and I am honored to have been a part of such a talented and dedicated group of individuals.
“After talking to my family, I have decided to declare for the NBA Draft while maintaining my eligibility. I am excited for the next chapter of my basketball journey and I want to thank you for being a major part of it.”
Murell led Ole Miss in the 2022-23 season in points per game with 14.1 and had a team high 79 assists while also averaging 3.5 rebounds per game.
When Daeshun Ruffin was out recovering from his ACL injury and then after stepping away from the program for the final month-plus of the season Murrell was asked to become the leader of the team.
With Beard’s arrival in Oxford after Kermit Davis’ departure following five seasons at the helm of Ole Miss it was expected that Murrell might considered staying.
Two other Ole Miss players have already publicly announced they will return for another season this fall.
Forward Jaemyn Brakefield and guard TJ Caldwell announced last month their intentions to play under Beard in his inaugural season at Ole Miss.
Getting Brakefield to return after he entered the portal is a good get for Beard as is rising sophomore Caldwell. Both can help build the foundation for Beard as he also hits the portal himself.
“Oxford is home to me,” Brakefield’s statement read. “Coach Beard and I have discussed his vision for not only this next season, but competing for championships in the best league in the country. Excited for this great ride ahead of us.”
Ruffin has not announced publicly his future plans regarding his playing career at Ole Miss or elsewhere.
