It’s not the most visible of his tattoos, but when Dejounte Murray raised his right arm during a morning shootaround, the body art on his biceps said it all.

“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I’m possible.”

Murray explained what the message means to him: “I’m possible. They tell you all types of stuff. It’s impossible to make it. It’s impossible to be great. I’m possible.”

As Murray awaits his chance to become the Spurs’ starting point guard on a full-time basis, the Seattle native is busy navigating his new life as an adult in the NBA.

He is learning how to become a solid player on the court.

Then there is the need to take care of his body for the grind of an 82-game regular season plus the playoffs.

Murray is also learning to handle the lifestyle now afforded to him. And he is still transitioning from a young man — or in this case “Baby Boy,” the nickname his grandmother gave him — to a grown man. Murray has to do so faster than most 21-year-olds.

There is the fame and the money; approximately $1.2 million this year. Add in the responsibility of being associated with one of the most successful organizations in sports. Plus, Murray is doing so in a challenging era, where one social media mistake can derail a career.

“It’s much harder,” said ex-Spur and current team broadcaster Sean Elliott. “Let’s be honest; it comes down to money and notoriety. You have all these social media accounts. It’s easier to talk to people. It’s easy to get a reaction. Everybody knows what you’re making, and that’s a big draw.

“I’m like all these old guys,” Elliott continued. “Sometimes I’ll sit there and say, “Man, I was 20 years too soon’ when I think about the contracts these guys are getting. But then, I look at the social media, and I’m like, ‘Thank God. I definitely don’t want to be a part of that.’”

But here is Murray embracing the start of what he anticipates will be a long career.

Murray, a second-year pro, deals with it by relying on assistance from his family, advice from team veterans,and frequent guidance from The King himself.

Unbreakable kinship

Murray was just 15 when he told his family about his dream of making it to the pros.

He said there would be no shortcuts. He would work hard and eventually it would all pay off.

The dedication was evident during his time at Rainier Beach High School, where Murray broke the school record with 52 points and 20 rebounds.

His determination was also on display after a bad shooting night in December 2015. A freshman at the University of Washington, he finished 1 of 10 from the field in one forgettable game, including 1 of 5 from beyond the arc. He also turned the ball over five times in a 79-68 win over Seattle University.

Though the Huskies came away victorious, Murray was far from satisfied. Accompanied by his trainer, Mark Caesar, Murray returned to the court for a postgame shooting session that lasted until midnight. He wanted to correct his shot and would not leave the court until he felt confident his jumper was whole.

It was there, at Alaska Airlines Arena, when his uncle, Terry Thompson, knew Murray was destined for more.

“He was like, ‘Man, I’m just not going to sit here and pout because I didn’t shoot well. I’m going to get in the gym and shoot better,’” Thompson said.

Thomson could relate. Unlike other future NBA players from the Seattle area such as Jamal Crawford, Nate Robinson and Doug Christie, Thompson saw his career derailed by injuries after emerging as a star at Ingraham High School.

Thompson has been close to Murray since the future first-round draft pick could first dribble a basketball. Murray’s aggressive rebounding style — he had the team-high in rebounds this season with 14 until Pau Gasol grabbed 17 in a game last month — is partly due to Thompson’s tutoring.

“I remember when we were younger,” Thompson said, “I think he was like in the first or second grade. We wouldn’t give him a rebound. You have to get the rebound yourself. Fight for it. We’re just not going to hand you the ball. You got to work for it. And he’s been doing that since. That’s just what he does. He’s hungry.”

Thompson and Murray’s relationship has grown stronger over the years. Murray’s jersey has a 5 on it as a tribute to Thompson, who wore the same number throughout his career.

When Murray made the transition to San Antonio, he asked Thompson to move with him. That decision was partly due to Murray not wanting to live alone, but he also wanted to keep his word.

Before she died, Murray’s great aunt, Fannie Frazier, knew he would advance further than Thompson. She made a special request that Murray acknowledged.

“She told me to promise her, before her death, that I would take Terry with me,” said Murray. “I promised her and told her ‘Yes, if I’m blessed enough to make it, he’s coming with me.’”

Thompson not only lives with Murray, but also cooks and cleans. More importantly, Thompson accepts responsibility for making sure his nephew, who entered the league at age 19, is protected from outside interferences.

Now Playing:

Thompson is the gatekeeper. He blocks anything or anyone that doesn’t have to do with basketball.

“I figured I could help him and keep his mind on basketball and not have to worry about the off the court stuff,” Thompson said. “He asked me (to move in), and I was privileged to do it. He would be OK regardless. I just felt like I could take a little bit off his shoulders.”

Added Murray: “He’s not around me for the stuff that I have or the stuff I can have or to leech off me. He has his own money. It’s unbelievable. I still tell him to this day how thankful I am for him. In this lifestyle, it’s so hard. You don’t know what people’s intentions are when they want to be around you. You never know. He’s just around for the love. He wants the best for me. He’s always been that guy.”

On road trips, Thompson checks on Murray daily. He calls the challenge “easy,” because Murray makes it that way. His nephew doesn’t go out either at home or on the road. Murray avoids crowds. He studies basketball at night rather than scrolling through Twitter and Instagram.

“It just shows how disciplined I am,” said Murray of avoiding social media. “Like I said, it goes back to holding me accountable. Being with the Spurs organization, you want them to be able to hold you accountable when you’re not in their presence. I take pride in it.

“I don’t want them to have anything bad to say about me,” Murray continued. “I don’t want the media to have anything bad to say about me. So, I do have social media, but you don’t see me on it. I stay in the gym, and I watch basketball. That’s all I want to do.”

He doesn’t drink or smoke. It’s all about basketball.

“It makes it easier for me,” said Thompson of helping guide his nephew.

Murray understands the traps that await if he isn’t careful with his decision-making. One negative at this point in his life could lead to a plethora of criticism, which he has yet to experience.

“I can do one bad thing, and they’ll judge me (because of) my color,” said Murray. “I’m an African-American. Straight up.”

If a mistake is committed, or he needs someone to confide in after a bad game, Thompson is there for support.

“This is new,” Thompson said. “The money part is new. Going to the NBA is new. The transition is all new. He’s doing really well.”

When asked to sum up his relationship with Thompson in one word, Murray said: “Unbreakable.

“That’s somebody I trust, and I’ve trusted him since I could start talking. … That bond between me and him is unbreakable.”

Time with the King

With Thompson holding the most critical role in Murray’s life off the court, there is an additional advisor when it comes to basketball and business.

As a junior in high school, Murray participated in LeBron James’ Skills Academy. Murray made an impression on James, as the two were on the same team. Following the camp, James placed a call to Crawford while Murray returned to Seattle.

James told Crawford that Murray had a bright future if he continued to improve. James wanted to monitor Murray’s progress. Crawford relayed the message to Murray, and a new friendship was established.

“I think that’s when everything clicked,” Murray said.

Following his decision to enter the NBA Draft, Murray, along with Philadelphia Sixers guard Ben Simmons, was invited to James’ home to workout, watch basketball and study the game. Murray even had a front row seat to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers throughout the playoffs. But Murray wanted James to know his intentions. It wasn’t just about being around James. He needed education.

“I told him straight up, ‘LeBron, I don’t want anything from you. I just want knowledge. How did you get to where you’re at today? What did you do? Off the court, how are you so powerful with your businesses?’ All I wanted was knowledge,” Murray said.

“It was a great experience. I know why he’s so great. (James) works out in the morning really early. He’s shooting at noon. He’s taking care of his body, eating the right foods. All that stuff.”

Thompson had praise for James too. “That’s like a big brother to him. LeBron has always been there.”

And James was there again on the night Murray was drafted. Before Murray’s conference call with the media, James called to congratulate him on being selected by the Spurs, adding he was in a great situation to start his career.

“LeBron calling him meant a lot to him,” Thompson.

Murray and James text almost every other day. Sometimes it will be James critiquing Murray’s play, offering advice. Sometimes, “I’ll hit him up,” Murray said, “even though he doesn’t need it, if I see him doing something.”

Asked about the best advice James has given him, Murray said: “Be yourself, whatever yourself is. Don’t change.”

On-court life

Following a recent loss at Philadelphia, Murray felt a familiar urge. In his mind, 13 minutes of play wasn’t enough. And four points on 2 of 5 shooting was not sufficient, either.

“I want to go break a sweat,” said Murray after the loss. “I just want to be in the gym. I don’t want to party. I don’t want to do any of the other stuff. I just want to be in the gym. That’s my drug. That’s my party. That’s my fun. In the gym.”

Murray is in Year 2 of a long journey. He knows there be highs, like the 16-point, 14-rebound game against the Toronto Raptors.

A recent performance in New York was typical for a second-year pro. He didn’t shoot well, but provided increased tempo for the Spurs, recording six of his bench-high eight rebounds in the third quarter.

“A little bit of everything,” said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich when asked what Murray provided in the win over the Knicks. “A couple of bad decisions. A couple of great deflections, increased pace, some pretty good awareness defensively. He’s learning.”

And then there are the lows or the games when Murray doesn’t play. It can be a time when he gets pulled quickly after committing an error or two. That’s when Murray’s confidence and patience are tested.

“The biggest thing I would tell him is don’t get down on yourself when things go bad,” Elliott said. “It’s a long season. You’re going to have a lot of ups and downs. You’re going to be great, flying high for two weeks. And then you’re going to go through a little slump for a 10-day or two-week period where you’re not playing well. Nothing is going well for you. You’re criticized. The coach is on your butt. You have to be able to weather those storms. If you can do that, you’ll have a long career.”

That can be a challenge for a young player, sitting back, analyzing from the bench, learning from watching rather than playing.

Murray is still working to improve his jumper with Spurs assistant coach Chip Engelland. He’s still learning the point guard position, and what it means to have the job in the NBA with the Spurs.

But Murray vows to master it all. In his mind, failure isn’t an option.

“I know I’m going to get my turn because I work so damn hard,” he said. “It’s just gaining knowledge from everybody around me. The Kawhi (Leonard’s). The Manu (Ginobili’s). The Tony (Parker’s). Coach Pop. I can go on and on.

“I’m going to continue to work,” added Murray. “I’m going to continue to learn. I’m going to continue to be on time. I’m going to continue to be a pro. And when my number is called, whether I start or come off the bench, I’m going to be ready to go.”

The stats may not be there every night, but behind the scenes, team officials are impressed with Murray’s work ethic and maturity. He’s a long way from a finished product, but his growth is showing.

“If you looked at the challenges that a young guy would have coming into an environment where he’s never lived outside of Seattle basically his entire life, “ said Spurs GM R.C. Buford, “and now he’s coming into a team and program where it’s pretty mature. He’s not walking into a place that he can get into mistakes that are accepted. … His approach, his growth has exceeded everybody’s expectations.”

It’s only the beginning for Murray. He says repeatedly he only has one chance. He refuses to waste it. Thompson won’t allow him to, and James is just a text message away.

Soon, more casual fans will know the name Dejounte Murray and become aware of his skillset on the court. But for now …

“I’m working hard,” said Murray. “God’s will, I hope I’m here forever.”

Jabari Young is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of his stories here. | jyoung@express-news.net | @JabariJYoung