SEATTLE – When DeJounte Murray was in sixth grade he played on a basketball team managed by Marvena Thomas-Temp, wife of former Seattle Supersonic forward Shawn Kemp. Marvena had informed a counselor at Rainier Beach High School about the talented Murray, who passed the message along to Jamal Crawford.

The seed had just been planted for what would eventually blossom into a big brother, little brother relationship between the now UW freshman and 2x NBA Sixth Man award winner.

When Murray got to Rainier Beach in 2011, over a decade after Crawford, the two began to strengthen their relationship both on and off the court. Murray’s game was still raw and needed a little work, but Crawford saw the immense potential the freshmen had.

“His game was real smooth,” Crawford told 247Sports Thursday in a sit down interview. “He made it look real easy and he had great focus. That [focus] is what separates him from everyone else. It’s hard at anything to be consistent but he’s been consistently focused and that’s special.”

Crawford has built up a reputation in and around the Seattle-area for being a mentor to younger men both on and off the court. When he graduated from Rainier Beach in 1998 Crawford decided to spur the local school for Michigan.

Yet still he returns to his home town summer after summer to work with high school prospects in the city. But the bond built between Murray and Crawford is unlike any other the 14-year NBA veteran has experienced working with dozens of ballers in the area.

“It’s been unbelievable,” said Crawford on Murray’s growth from the time they met until now. “He’s always had an older soul – he gets it from his uncles and other family that he’s grown up with. He’s very mature for his age. But our bond is special. He’s like a little brother to me, and I ain’t even joking.”

Now, the two former Rainier Beach stars go up against each other in pickup games. Murray, known he can hit a deep three without any stress, is given room to shoot by his older brother. It’s all for Murray’s help when Crawford gets scored on because the two will have a strong talk walking back up the court.

Crawford, 35, is making sure that even after his younger brother has graduated from one level that he’s ready and able to dominate at the next level.

What has helped the two communicate even better is the fact they play a similar hybrid position of point guard and shooting guard. However, it was more than just his Jordan’s and incredible knack for the game that caught the attention of Crawford.

It was Murray’s personality.

“We both have the same personality,” Crawford said speaking on what made Murray stand out to him. “He’s real laid back, chill, and he will do anything for those that he cares about the most. That’s what I really like about him. He hasn’t got that attitude, he’s a great kid.”

Washington has not had that go-to player since Isaiah Thomas in the beginning of the decade, the last time the Huskies went to the Sweet 16. But for the kid they call “baby”, referencing Murray’s youthful appearance and kind personality, he’s just the player UW Head Coach Lorenzo Romar and the basketball program needed to turn things around.