Spurs' Dejounte Murray voted NBA draft's 'biggest steal' by fellow rookies

Recommended Video:

When Dejounte Murray tumbled down to the bottom of the first round, right into the Spurs’ lap, the rest of the basketball world huffed and sighed collectively.

Most pundits and draft analysts expected the University of Washington product to be long gone by the time Spurs general manager R.C. Buford submitted his pick to the league. But no, Murray was there at 29, leading Buford to scoop him up and everyone else to cry “steal!”

RELATED: ‘NBA 2K’ battle brewing between Murray, No. 1 pick Ben Simmons

It seems Murray’s peers have applied the same label to the spindly 6-foot-5, 170-pound guard.

The 19-year-old was named “the biggest steal” in a recent survey of 38 rookies conducted by the NBA.

Murray led all rookies with 16.1 percent of the votes. Suns guard Tyler Ulis garnered 12.9 percent of the votes, while six others collected 6.5 percent each.

Dejounte Murray poses for a photo with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected 29th overall by the San Antonio Spurs during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) less Dejounte Murray poses for a photo with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected 29th overall by the San Antonio Spurs during the NBA basketball draft, Thursday, June 23, 2016, in New York. (AP ... more Photo: Frank Franklin II, STF / Associated Press Photo: Frank Franklin II, STF / Associated Press Image 1 of / 29 Caption Close Spurs' Dejounte Murray voted NBA draft's 'biggest steal' by fellow rookies 1 / 29 Back to Gallery

Most seem to agree that Murray possesses boundless potential – the challenge will be harnessing that latent ability.

Named Washington’s Mr. Basketball in 2015, Murray wasn’t projected as a one-and-done prospect, but a stellar freshman year (16.1 points, six rebounds, 4.4 assists) pushed him to declare for the draft.

He experienced the archetypal rookie ebbs and flows at the Las Vegas Summer League: Murray averaged 10.8 points, but on 31.9 percent shooting; he led the team with 2.4 steals per game, and also with 3.6 turnovers; he struggled to hit consistency from deep.

“He’s got a lot of raw talent,” Becky Hammon, the Spurs’ summer league coach, said of Murray. “He’s only 19. We’re trying to rein him in, but still give him the freedom to be who he is.”

RELATED: Murray hanging with LeBron James, other NBA superstars at Drake concert

Murray’s development is going to be critical to the future of one of the league’s oldest teams. His foremost concern seems to be overhauling his jumper with Spurs assistant and resident shot doctor Chip Engelland.

“I’m a dude that loves to work, so me and him are going to get along with each other well,” Murray said in Vegas. “(Engelland) told me to be ready to work. I’m looking forward to it.”

If Engelland can do to Murray what he did to Kawhi Leonard, there’s a good chance this survey leaves his draft class peers looking downright prescient several years from now.

Past winners (Question was phrased as “Which rookie is being most overlooked?" until last year.)

2014-15 – T-1st: Ricky Ledo, Dallas, Erik Murphy, Chicago, Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia & Kelly Olynyk, Boston (8.6 percent)

2013-14 – Kyle Anderson, SPURS (11.1 percent)

2012-13 – T-1st: Draymond Green, Golden State, Perry Jones, Oklahoma City, Andrew Nicholson, Orlando & Tony Wroten, Memphis (8.8 percent)

2010-11 – Lance Stephenson, Indiana (17.9 percent)

2009-10 – DeJuan Blair, SPURS (15.6 percent)

2007-08 – Nick Young, Washington (15.8 percent)

nmoyle@express-news.net

Twitter: @NRmoyle