By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, JAN. 7, 2016 – Jahmal McMurray is living the freshman dream at USF.
After scoring 2,000 points as a prep star in Kansas, the three-time all-state selection was looking for an opportunity to showcase his game at the collegiate level.
The wish has been granted nearly 1,400 miles from his hometown of Topeka and McMurray is making the most of his cross-country trek to Tampa. Heading into Sunday's home game against Cincinnati, McMurray has logged in the most court time of any player in the American Athletic Conference with 34.0 minutes per game.
McMurray will certainly get a loud ovation from the Sun Dome crowd during pre-game introductions because of what he's done with his multitude of minutes. Under the spotlight, McMurray leads the Bulls with 13.4 points per game and he's currently on an eight-game, double-digit scoring streak.
“I'm blessed with this opportunity because not a lot of freshmen get to be in this type of situation,” said McMurray, who scored 21 points in his USF debut. “It's all a learning experience.”
And while he's picking up the college game quickly, McMurray has proven to be a versatile piece to USF's rebuilding project. McMurray is the Bulls' top weapon from long range with 35 3-pointers and he's dished out a team-leading 37 assists as USF's new table-setter.
With Roddy Peters out with an injury, McMurray has taken over as the team's starting point guard and he's averaged nearly four assists per game the past seven outings.
“He's doing great. I think he's continued to grow, he's continued to develop,” head coach Orlando Antigua said. “He's someone that has taken on all the responsibility that we've put on him as a young freshman.”
McMurray embraces everything that goes along with being a go-to guy and was eager to prove he could handle the pressure before his official USF debut.
The Bulls were in rally mode during the final game of their foreign tour of Spain this summer and needed a big shot in the final moments of regulation. McMurray delivered with a game-tying 3-pointer that helped erase a 22-point deficit and USF went on to beat Spanish Club team, CB Vic, 84-75, in overtime.
“Hitting big shots just lets them know I can be a clutch shooter when it's time to knock down a shot,” said McMurray, who averaged 12 points in Spain. “As a freshman, that's big for me with seniors and juniors and people that have already been here.”
McMurray continues to impress his older teammates with selfless play and a hunger for improvement, which junior forward Chris Perry appreciates.
“He's a tough kid,” Perry said. “He's real hard-nosed, all he knows is hard work. He's always in the gym.”
McMurray's progression showed during a 17-point performance last week at SMU that saw him go toe-to-toe with Mustangs superstar Nic Moore. McMurray scored four more points than Moore in the matchup and defensive intensity helped limit the reigning conference player of the year to a 3-for-11 night from the field.
“The way it looks, I don't think there is going to be a (freshman) wall,” Perry said. “He held his own against one of the best players in our conference.”
Watch what McMurray does next when the Bulls host the Bearcats on Sunday at noon. Reserve your seats at USFBullsTix.com.
