Watching Iowa basketball in the early 1990s was a roller coaster of extreme ups and downs.
The low point came with the tragic death of Chris Street following a team dinner in 1993. The high point came when the Hawkeyes made it to the NCAA tournament in Chris Street's honor that same year.
During this period of Iowa basketball, several players made an impact. Players like Acie Earl, James Moses, Jess Settles, Andre Woolridge and Russ Millard all became household names throughout the state. These players were just fun to watch.
One of the most exciting players to step foot on the court for Iowa during this time was Kenyon Murray.
Murray came to Iowa as the reigning Mr. Basketball for the state of Michigan and played under Dr. Tom Davis from 1992 to 1996. While at Iowa, Murray compiled a very impressive career.
He played in all 122 games during his four-year career, starting 95 of them. With 1,230 points, Murray is 16th on Iowa's all-time scoring list. His 200 career steals has him sitting third all-time.
Murray still holds the Iowa record for most steals in a single game with nine against Ohio State in 1995.
After Iowa, Murray went on to play professional basketball in the CBA and IBL. In 1998, he was runner up for the league MVP, averaging 25 points, eight assists and eight rebounds a game.
After injuring his ankle, Murray traveled back to the states, where he started a family and pursued his interests in coaching and business.
In addition to his current position as Territory Manager for a company based out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Murray now coaches freshman boys' basketball at Prairie High School and serves on several committees at the University of Iowa.
He recently found out he will also have another title to go by: Basketball Analyst for the Big Ten Network.
Murray will be calling six Iowa basketball games for the Big Ten Network this winter. He can be heard commentating during Big Ten games against Michigan State, Illinois and Northwestern.
As a result of the recent news, I recently caught up with Kenyon Murray for an email interview. With the help of Google and a few social networks, I was able to get a few questions over to Kenyon, who was more than willing to answer.
BF: You currently live in Cedar Rapids, IA with your wife and three children. How is the Cedar Rapids area treating you?
KM: We have been in the Cedar Rapids area since 2001 and it has treated us well. My wife has worked between St. Lukes and Mercy Hospital and our kids are in the Prairie (College Community) school district. I have a great network of friends here and don't see us moving any time soon.
BF: Can we expect your two twin sons to play basketball for the Hawkeyes some day?
KM: I hope so. Would mean the world to me if my boys decided to wear the Black & Gold. They are only in third grade, so we have some time.
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