Jamal Murray is a baller.
With Canada trailing by six entering the fourth quarter of their Pan-American semifinal game against the U.S., Murray took over to push Canada into Saturday's Gold Medal Game. After being held scoreless through the first three quarters, Murray erupted for 14 points, including the game-tying three-pointer with under a minute to play to send the game into overtime.
Canada did get one final shot at the win before OT, but Murray's runner was off the mark as time expired in regulation.
In OT, Murray had two assists on Canada's first two possessions - a three-pointer and dunk by Anthony Bennett - to give the Canadians a quick five-point lead, 102-97. The U.S. would respond with a 6-0 run of their own to retake the lead, but Murray's floater on the ensuing possession gave Canada the lead back.
After the U.S. took a two-point lead on an Anthony Randolph, three, Murray responded with a three of his own to give Canada a one-point lead before hitting another next possession to give Canada a 110-106 lead. From there, Canada would hold on for 111-108 win. Murray finished the game with 22 points, all of which coming in the fourth quarter or OT.
Making the game even more amazing was watching the dual Murray was having with arguably the best senior in college basketball next season in Wichita State's Ron Baker. He and Murray went back and forth through the final two frames, trading blow for blow to keep their teams in it until time finally ran out. Baker finished with 15 points, three steals and two assists. He's still a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad boy, which UK fans already knew.
As for Murray, the incoming Kentucky basketball freshman already looks ready for college basketball, and his performance in the Pan-Am games will only boost the already-high expectations placed upon him this year.
Couldn’t be more proud of @BeMore27. For someone his age to do what he did shows how good he is and why we wanted him in the worst way.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) July 25, 2015