Jamal Murray Stalls Signing Ceremony On TSN

Inevitable Oregon Commitment Waits

Today was the day. An original date for the top prospect in Canadian basketball to select the college of his choice.

18 year old Kitchener, ON native Jamal Murray, feeling ‘college ready’ was originally slated for a signing ceremony to be filmed by TSN this evening at 6PM EST. Instead according to a source close to TSN, father Roger Murray has postponed plans after announcement details were leaked on Fathers Day Sunday.

“He has always been weirdly over protective of Jamal. With Sunday’s report stirring the pot don’t put it past Roger to go against the grain on his destination now out of spite,” a source said Monday evening.

As for Jamal, he attended his final day of high school Monday and the plan was to pledge allegiance Tuesday through TSN.

Signing ceremonies have always existed south of the border on ESPNU but never north. Source speaking anonymously reiterated it as another effort from TSN to demonstrate their commitment to Canadian Basketball coverage and earning a reputation for Canada’s home for basketball.

TSN & Canada Basketball recently partnered to deliver full court coverage of Team Canada’s men’s and women’s basketball teams in international events beginning this summer.

Their slate of basketball coverage now includes comprehensive coverage of the Toronto Raptors, the NBA Playoffs culminating with the NBA FINALS, complete coverage of NCAA MARCH MADNESS, and the BIOSTEEL ALL-CANADIAN BASKETBALL GAME.

Signing day ceremonies didn’t always exist. They became a thing, then a televised thing, and year by year the process continues to balloon in theatricality. TSN according to sources are also in advanced discussions to implement an annual televised signing ceremony show televised as an extension of the BIOSTEEL ALL-CANADIAN BASKETBALL GAME that will be strategically scheduled and coincide perfectly with the NCAA Spring signing period date in April.

Shawn Redmond, Vice-President of Programming and Marketing at TSN has declined comment on the potential Murray signing ceremony.

Nevertheless, Roger Murray’s most recent reaction raises some interesting questions about the role of the overprotective prospects father: how far is too far to go to protect your son?

Last fall Roger was a surprise addition to the Orangeville Prep coaching staff. His presence often at arms length away from Jamal when conducting interviews.

Fresh off a Nike Hoops Summit MVP award Jamal arrived at the BioSteel All-Canadian Game to load of Canadian mainstream media members who were restricted from asking any recruiting questions at all.

Asked in May which schools would get visits, Roger Murray told American media, “No, I’m not going to say for now. We try and stay away from the whole hoopla of it. We could be taking a visit and don’t really put it out [in the media], just try to continue what we’re doing.”

It’s a common trope: the man would rather lock his son in a tower until he’s in college than have to watch recruiting-ravaged reporters paw at him.

Being overprotective is probably preferable to taking no interest in a child’s wellbeing at all. Cant condemn Roger for wanting to protect his son’s image from getting hurt – presumably what he is attempting to do, albeit in a stubborn and uncompromising way.

Perhaps to protect your son, a blue chip prospect is not to film, shield or cajole them, but to educate them. Playing the overprotective father does little credit by reinforcing the idea that young prospects are capable of controlling themselves with what comes with the territory of promising prospects.

That said an announcement regarding Murray’s next move is now officially stalled— except entering worst kept secret status.

When exactly Jamal Murray goes public on his desire to take his talents to Oregon remains to be seen.

For Oregon when it does though it will be a case of effort rewarded.

Throughout the year Kentucky kept taps on Murray but no more then teammate Thon Maker. Oregon made him a primary target from day one. During Orangeville Preps season opener in Brampton, ON last November no Kentucky assistants were present. Ducks assistant Michael Mennenga sat front row.

Mid February in Indiana during a largely anticipated showcase hosted by La Lumiere the entire Murray family was present. Not only Mennenga was in attendance so was his boss Dana Altman. Even with a home game in Eugene that weekend.

Oregon nowadays are moving like a high major program. Just look at their offers out there. Ducks have the resources in Eugene, and their expensive taste is starting to reflect it.

Kentucky has lost out on several targets this 2015 class. It took a heroic MVP performance at Nike Hoops Summit to make the Cats show some sense of urgency chasing Murray and making him their primary recruiting target.

Ask yourself this, would you rather help Lebron James win another ring or would you with friends want to deliver a city their first championship in franchise history?

Go to Kentucky win a championship and be another name on a long list of produced pros? Or go to Oregon and attempt to be a legend if the Ducks can make their first Final Four in 75 years. Either way Jamal Murrays destination will be the National Basketball Association.

Quack, Quack, Quack, just wait on it…