Tracy Murray had a great 12-year NBA career. He played for teams like the Trail Blazers, Rockets, and Wizards. If that wasn’t impressive enough, in total, he played over 659 games. He put up 9.0 points per game; A reliable shooter, indeed. Before that, he was a standout at UCLA, where he averaged 18.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, earning back-to-back All-Pac-10 honors. But his basketball journey started long before that. 

Tracy Murray had a great high school run. He averaged 44.3 points per game during his senior year. By the time he graduated, he had racked up 3,053 points in just three seasons. Imagine having such a legacy at just the high school level. Scoring that much isn’t just about having a great jump shot. There had to be more to it. So, what was his secret? How did he manage to dominate the way he did while others struggled to keep up? 

Murray recently shared the key to his dominance: rebounding. He wasn’t just launching shots—he was grabbing extra points off the boards. “I whined to my dad one day, like, get your big a– on the boards,” he admitted. That advice changed everything. Instead of waiting for teammates to pass him the ball, he took matters into his own hands. He realized that offensive rebounds were an easy way to add to his scoring total. And since most defenders weren’t focused on boxing him out, he found himself in the perfect position to capitalize. 

By focusing on offensive rebounds, Murray found a way to add 10 to 15 extra points per game. “Without jacking them, you’re picking up an extra 10 to 15 points just on offensive rebounds because no one’s blocking out,” he explained. Opponents were either too intimidated or simply not paying attention, and Murray knew exactly how to take advantage of that. This strategy not only boosted his numbers but also made him a nightmare for defenses.

Murray’s story is proof that sometimes, the best way to score isn’t just through shooting. He found a way to make an impact by reading the game differently—and that mindset helped him become one of the best high school scorers ever.

How Michael Jordan helped Tracy Murray build character

Some moments in an athlete’s career never fade. Recently, Tracy Murray shared one such moment he had with NBA legend Michael Jordan!  During the filming of Space Jam, Jordan organized legendary pickup games. These weren’t casual runs—they were battlegrounds for NBA stars, top college players, and streetball legends. It was during these runs that Murray found himself face-to-face with the ultimate competitor.

In an interview with @thectgsports, Murray recalled those intense matchups. When asked who talked the most trash, he didn’t hesitate: “Oh, no question, MJ.” But Jordan’s respect wasn’t given—it was earned. He admired those who stood their ground, even when they were losing.

Many players avoided guarding Jordan, but Murray had no choice. “You just gonna get your a– kicked right, you gonna learn something,” he admitted. “They say a– whooping builds character, right? It builds character, and you learn.”

For Murray, those games weren’t just about basketball—they were about growth. “You learn a lot from losing,” he explained. “You don’t learn from winning all the time.” Competing against Jordan forced him to improve, adapt, and develop a tougher mindset.

Jordan never turned off his competitive switch. Whether it was the NBA Finals or a summer run, he demanded the best from everyone. And if you weren’t ready, you’d learn the hard way.