UVA makes final 3 cut for New Zealand guard Murray; Warley to FSU

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Photo: Basketball New Zealand

Virginia basketball lost out on one star prospect on Sunday, but made the final-three cut for another prospect in New Zealand shooting guard Taine Murray.

Murray, who is 6-foot-5, 190 pounds, hails from Auckland, hometown of former Wahoo center Jack Salt. On Sunday, Murray trimmed his potential college choices to Virginia, Maryland and Stanford.

Projected as a Top-100 prospect, Murray has been highly recruited by schools all over the U.S., including from the Pac-12, Big Ten, Big East and the ACC. 

He is scheduled to graduate from high school in December and could enroll early in college. Academics will be a key factor in his decision.

Described as a player who can fit at multiple positions, he has good size and length. His versatility is something that attracted Virginia to the New Zealander.

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers lost out on 5-star guard Jalen Warley on Sunday. Warley, ranked No. 23 in the 2021 class, committed to Florida State over the Wahoos, Michigan, Oregon, Maryland, Miami and Memphis, among others.