Thank You J.J. Murray

[UNTLifer]

Hard work led this young man from walk-on, to contributor, to earning a scholarship, to being a defensive menace and finally to starting every game his season year. Great representative of our team’s heart and never give up attitude. You will be a great success. Hope I have the opportunity to shake your hand some day. 

[CMJ]

Agreed.  From walk-on to key contributor. Love stories like his.

[ttunt1970]

Yes to that 🦅🏀GMG & TBell both are going to be missed!

[Jonnyeagle]

I think. Thomas will get a shot at the NBA

Edited March 21, 2022 by Jonnyeagle

[UNT Family Man]

You are a great! And you will be missed. 

[UNTLifer]

5 minutes ago, Jonnyeagle said:

I think. Thomas will get a shit at the NBA

That’s a stinker. 

[Censored by Laurie]

yep. I was waiting on this. 

this dude may well be one of my all time favorite UNT basketball players. the epitome of unselfish...the epitome of what this team and program has become. I know HoF considerations are based on stats, but if there is some way of honoring this man I am 100% in support. 

his performance tonight was special...and left me wanting so much more JJ fearing that we only scratched the surface of his value to this team. after TP had those 3 consecutive turnovers early in the second half, JJ took over as primary ball-handler and turned playmaker...there would be flashes of his playmaking ability throughout the season, usually on broken plays where he'd get into the paint and slip little pocket passes to a big for a finish...he did that repeatedly tonight...5 assists, I believe all in the second half...good decision-making and as ever fantastic defense. 

my dude hasn't scored since UTEP and still got 41 of 45 minutes as was of such value tonight. 

love this kid. and knowing he's walking out of here with an engineering degree right into a lucrative position shows he puts in the work in all facets of life. 

[TheColonyEagle]

I would imagine not having JJ next year is the #1 thing that keeps Grant up at night….what a security blanket in your lineup 

[2020 Sucks]

I was really looking forward to watching JJ guard Umoja Gibson!  

[Green Otaku]

JJ shows you what hard work gets you. Be unselfish, but be relentless and you will be rewarded. Thank you JJ. 

[MeanGreenTexan]

Echoing what others have said, watching JJs journey from walk-on to 2x C-USA All-conference defensive team & starter was one of my favorite Mean Green stories ever.

I believe JJ was the soul of this team.  Losing him is going to leave a giant void in the hustle/hard-work leadership department.   

I hope the guys learned a lot from him & hope to see him around in the future!

[Green Otaku]

5 minutes ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

Echoing what others have said, watching JJs journey from walk-on to 2x C-USA All-conference defensive team & starter was one of my favorite Mean Green stories ever.

I believe JJ was the soul of this team.  Losing him is going to leave a giant void in the hustle/hard-work leadership department.   

I hope the guys learned a lot from him & hope to see him around in the future!

I'm ignorant on how these things work, but what are the possibilities for him to join the staff? 

[Tom McKrackin]

10 hours ago, Green Otaku said:

I'm ignorant on how these things work, but what are the possibilities for him to join the staff? 

I had the same thought.  Are we sure he doesn’t want to be a coach because he would make a great one.

[MeanGreenTexan]

10 hours ago, Green Otaku said:

I'm ignorant on how these things work, but what are the possibilities for him to join the staff? 

First, he would have to want to join the staff, which I'm not sure he does.
But if he did, I believe McCasland sees a lot of himself in JJ, so I bet he'd have the opportunity as a GA.

[UNT Texas Hooligan]

Thank you, Murray. JJ was a dawg on D. You all will be missed JJ, Bell, and Drez

[UNTLifer]

Is Drez gone?

[meangreen11]

6 minutes ago, UNTLifer said:

Is Drez gone?

Likely but he does have another year available.  This may be the biggest recruiting challenge Mac has this off season.

[Censored by Laurie]

43 minutes ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

First, he would have to want to join the staff, which I'm not sure he does.
But if he did, I believe McCasland sees a lot of himself in JJ, so I bet he'd have the opportunity as a GA.

I was under the impression that JJ hit pause on a 6-figure job offer to return this year. 

[GrandGreen]

Murray may have the best story ever for a basketball player at NT.  Not recruited by anyone, walk on, bit player, and then starter.  

He and Bell will be hard to replace.  

Don't think McBride will be harder to keep than some others.  Ousmane is going to be the one that is most coveted by other teams.  

NT was supposed to be down after losing Hamlet and Reese, and got better.   Hope that can be repeated. 

[UNT86]

JJ has already graduated and I believe his degree is in engineering.  He is almost through with his masters too.  I doubt he starts coaching.

Incredible young man.

 

[BleedingGreen]

 And he was the Team's chaplain.