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Getting the Chance to Play at Home
From the Globe and Mail October 31, 2016
Jamal Murray is the latest in a growing list of Canadian players who once kicked around Air Canada Centre as wide-eyed kids. They dreamed of the day they'd step on the floor in an NBA jersey.
That day came Monday for Murray.
The 19-year-old from Kitchener, Ont., who starred for the University of Kentucky last season, made his first trip to the ACC with the Denver Nuggets, and spent part of the morning gathering tickets.
"I'm already asking for tickets" Murray said, with a grin. "It's going to be a big event for me and my family."
Double figures?
"Triple," he said, with a laugh. "Something like that. High school teammates, coaches, family, friends. It's a lot of people."
Canada had 11 players on NBA opening-night rosters, the most of any country outside the United States. They represent a generation of young men who grew up on a steady diet of the sport thanks largely to the Raptors.
"It just goes to show you the growth of Canada Basketball, how well we've been doing here, developing the youth and just continuing to grow and get better," said Raptors guard Cory Joseph. "And more guys will come to the NBA, and I'll have more little point guards like Jamal trying to take my spot. And I'll be the old fella."
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