Dejounte Murray Says Gregg Popovich Tried to Pay to Move His Mom After Shooting
Former San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich offered to move the mother of guard Dejounte Murray after she was shot during his first year in the NBA.
Murray called Popovich a "father figure" and "was a man who cared about me" during an appearance on The Pivot Podcast (via HoopsHype).
"That was a man who wanted me to reach my full potential in life first—then as a basketball player. He's so real," Murray said. "He tried to move my mom to San Antonio with his own money after she got shot. My mom was shot in the leg my rookie year. He called her himself—without me knowing until after the fact. 'We want to move you here. No, no, not with his money, with my money.' That sounds like a dude that cares about me and loves me, right?"
The 2021-22 All-Star played under Popovich for five seasons prior to his 2022 trade to the Atlanta Hawks. He told then-teammate Trae Young on Bleacher Report's From the Point the legendary coach continued following his exploits from afar.
In a March 2024 win over the Boston Celtics, Murray attempted 44 shots, including 19 from beyond the arc. He received a text from Popovich after the game in which his old coach joked he should "pass the f--king ball."
Sports Illustrated's Michael Pina profiled Murray in 2021 and detailed his upbringing in Seattle. He twice went into juvenile detention and didn't have a stable living situation.
Pina wrote how Murray described his tough childhood and adolescence as "less a choice than a fate he was born into."
On The Pivot Podcast, the NBA veteran described some of the heartfelt conversations he had with Popovich.
"There's so many stories—if he were able to sit here and talk, he'd tell you," Murray said. "He's never had a player come into his office and cry on his shoulder about how many murders he had to deal with back home in Seattle, how many funerals I had to pay for."
Popovich is a five-time NBA champion as a head coach and has the most wins (1,422) in league history. For those who played under him, his contributions extend far beyond a win-loss record and his postseason success.
