Iowa men's basketball team signs five players in 2020 recruiting class

By Hawkeyesports.com

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery announced on Monday that Keegan Murray, Kris Murray, Josh Ogundele, Tony Perkins, and Ahron Ulis have signed with the University of Iowa.

 

KEEGAN MURRAY

Forward, 6-foot-8, 215 pounds

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Prairie High School)

“Having the opportunity to play alongside my (twin) brother in front of friends and family is a dream come true. Being able to earn an education from the University of Iowa will be a great experience. I am excited to get on campus next summer.”

 

• Graduated from Prairie High School in 2019; currently spending a post-graduate year at DME Sports Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida
• Averaged 20.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game as a senior
• Postseason honors following his senior year at Prairie HS: Metro Player of the Year; first-team all-state by Prep Hoops IA and IBCA; unanimous first-team all-conference and first-team all-metro; Eastern Iowa All-Area Team; All-Sub State District 5
• Established a new Prairie High School record in career free throw percentage (.876)
• Two-time team captain (2018, 2019)
• 2018-19 season highs: 38 points versus Hempstead; 14 rebounds versus Kennedy; six assists versus Jefferson; six blocks versus Wahlert; four steals versus Iowa City High
• Son of former Hawkeye Kenyon Murray (1993-96)
• High Honor Roll student all four years of high school
• Also a three-year letterman in golf

 

KRIS MURRAY

Forward, 6-foot-8, 205 pounds

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Prairie High School/DME Sports Academy)

“I have watched Iowa basketball my entire life and knowing how hard I have worked to get to where I am is still unreal to me. Being able to play with a great group of guys and an excellent coaching staff is something that I cannot wait for. The opportunity to play at the same university with my (twin) brother is something that we are excited for with how we complement each other on the court.”

 

• Graduated from Prairie High School in 2019; currently spending a post-graduate year at DME Sports Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida.
• Averaged 19.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.5 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game as a senior
• Postseason honors following his senior year at Prairie HS: second-team all-state by Prep Hoops IA and IBCA; unanimous first-team all-league; first-team all-metro; Eastern Iowa All-Area Team; All-Sub State District 5
• Unanimous first-team all-conference and all-metro as a junior
• Two-time team captain (2018, 2019)
• 2018-19 season highs: 32 points and four steals versus Cedar Falls; 15 rebounds and six blocks versus Lane Tech; seven assists versus Jefferson
• Son of former Hawkeye Kenyon Murray (1993-96), who named Kris as a tribute to former teammate Chris Street, who died in an auto accident midway through his junior season in 1993
• Honor Roll student all four years of high school
• Also a three-year letterman in golf

 

FRAN McCAFFERY ON KRIS AND KEEGAN MURRAY

“I started watching Keegan and Kris at a young age because they were constantly playing against my sons Connor and Patrick at different tournaments and leagues. I watched them continue to work and grow as players, but also grow to be 6-foot-8. They could always shoot and handle the basketball. They always had tremendous basketball IQ.

 

“They are really good athletes with length and now that they are 6-8, they are spending a year at a high-level prep school, maturing for another season, grinding in the gym, working on fundamentals and getting in the weight room. They are going to come ready. They are both incredibly versatile. They can make 3’s, they can put it on the deck, and play multiple positions. One can play guard, one can play forward, or they can play both forward spots because they crash the boards. They are both capable of multiple double-doubles. It’s going to be good for them to be home and play for the Hawkeyes.”

 

 

JOSH OGUNDELE

Forward, 6-foot-11, 245 pounds

Worcester, Massachusetts (Worcester Academy)

“What attracted me to the University of Iowa was not only the coaches, but the team’s reputation of players, and how well they play and compete in the Big Ten. I also liked how the program has produced players in the NBA.”

• England native, moved to America from London when he was 16
• Played for Boston Amateur Basketball Club (BABC) in Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) since 2018
• Two-year starter for Worcester Academy
• Averaged 7.3 points (59% FG; 70& FT), four rebounds in 26 games played as a junior
• 14 points and nine rebounds versus nationally-ranked Link Year Prep at National Prep Showcase in 2019
• Tallied a career-high 20 points versus Bradford Christian Academy as a sophomore
• Has volunteered more than 100 hours of community service at Worcester Academy (St. John’s Soup Kitchen; Union Hill School; Hill-O-Ween; Friendly House; Rainbow Child Development Center)
• Played for the English National Team in 2015
• Won a silver medal on the 2016 Great Britain National Team

 

FRAN McCAFFERY ON OGUNDELE

“Josh is a powerful athlete, who has bounce and feel for the game. Josh came over from London and challenged himself to play for one of the most competitive AAU programs and one of the best prep schools in the country and coach Jamie Sullivan. Josh is going to have an immediate impact on our program. He is a young man with great character, and we are thrilled he has joined the Hawkeye family.”

 

 

TONY PERKINS

Guard, 6-foot-4, 185 pounds

Indianapolis, Indiana (Lawrence North High School)

“I love the Iowa coaching staff. I love Iowa City and how much Hawkeye fans support every team. I am excited to be an Iowa Hawkeye!”

 

• Averaged 15.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and three assists per game while shooting 38 percent from 3-point range last season
• Junior All-Star
• Earned all-state recognition one year and was a two-time honorable mention all-state honoree
• Two-time all-conference selection
• Two-time team Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year
• Led Lawrence North High School to 18 wins as a sophomore and 17 victories as a junior
• Two-time team captain
• Starter on his high school team his first three years

 

FRAN McCAFFERY ON PERKINS

“Tony is an athletic, attack-minded guard that can play either spot. He has length and can guard anybody from 5-foot-10 to 6-8. He has tremendous athletic power and competitive instincts. He has great feel for how to play. Tony plays for a great high school program and great high school coach in Jack Keefer. We are thrilled that he is a Hawkeye!

 

 

AHRON ULIS

Guard, 6-foot-2, 175 pounds

Chicago Heights (Marian Catholic)

“I have always dreamed about playing college basketball at the highest level and the University of Iowa is the right place and right fit for me. Coach McCaffery knows my family and I like the players and coaching staff. I’ve watched Iowa for a while and believe its style of play suits me extremely well. I’m excited to be a Hawkeye!”

 

• Averaged 18 points, five assists, and four rebounds as a junior and 13.5 points, five assists, and three rebounds as a sophomore
• 2019 East Suburban Catholic Conference (ESCC) Player of the Year
• Second team all-state and Chicago Sun Times All-Area as a junior
• Two-time ESCC All-Conference and Daily Southtown All-Area honoree
• As a starter, led Marian Catholic to 27 wins as a junior and 26 victories as a sophomore, third and fourth most in a single season in school history, respectively
• Led Marian Catholic to its first third place finish at the ISHA 3A state championship; sectional and super-sectional championships in 2019
• Led team in scoring and assists as a junior
• Two-time Hinsdale All-Tournament Team (MVP as a junior) and Chicago Heights All-Tournament Team
• No. 6 ranked 2020 senior in the state of Illinois
• Helped Marian Catholic secure back-to-back regional titles in 2018 and 2019 and an ESCC title in 2019
• Two-time team captain
• Peach Jam competitor the last two summers on the Chicago Meanstreets AAU team
• Tallied 22 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in win over Drive Nation and 20 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in triumph over Bluff City Legends on the AAU circuit
• Older brother is Tyler Ulis (Kentucky, 2015-16)

 

FRAN McCAFFERY ON ULIS

“I watched Ahron grow up, beginning when I was recruiting his older brother (Tyler). I have a great relationship with his family and high school coach, Mike Taylor, who is one of the best in the Chicagoland area. I’ve watched Ahron develop into the player he is now. He is in the gym grinding all the time and surrounds himself with knowledgeable people. I am really excited to have Ahron join our program.”