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John Calipari makes bold prediction for Jamal Murray in NBA

Jamal Murray has the potential to be a star in the NBA, but he may need to be one as a rookie to do what John Calipari says he'll accomplish.

Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

When Thursday arrives, Jamal Murray will see his NBA dreams realized as he hears his named called on draft night.

After an amazing freshman season with the Kentucky Wildcats, Murray declared for the draft and is now projected to be a top-five pick. It's been a long journey for Murray growing up in Canada, making his way to Lexington and now could end up anywhere from Phoenix, Boston, Minnesota and New Orleans.

Whichever team drafts Murray, he figures to get a lot of playing time as a rookie. His lights-out shooting is what NBA teams desire these days as it's becoming a jump-shooting league. Depending on which team Murray goes to, he could be asked to do so much that he's scoring in double figures and making a run at NBA Rookie of the Year.

John Calipari took it a step further during a Tuesday media teleconference with a bold prediction for Murray's rookie season.

"Any chance I get to brag about my kids, I’m bragging about them," Cal said. "I believe that Jamal Murray will be the leading scoring rookie in the NBA."

Between Murray, Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram, Buddy Hield and soon-to-be rookies, it will be a tough challenge for Murray to accomplish that feat, but we saw many times last year how quickly Murray can rack up points.

Calipari also said that in the NBA, "shooting is at a premium right now," and Murray "can flat shoot the ball with anybody."