2016 Jamal Murray (Athlete Institute/CIA Bounce) recruiting sweepstakes has officially begun. Murray a member of the Cadet Men’s National Team who will participate in the 2014 U17 FIBA World Championship for Men has seen his legend grow by the game.

Currently ranked #37 by Scouts.com the 6’5″ 190lbs Murray is being recruited as a combo guard at the next level, while primarily playing point guard for his high school team Athlete Institute in Orangeville, Ontario. Murray last week cracked the Fox Sports Scouts.com national top 100 list which is a rare feat for a Canadian playing high school ball on Canadian soil. Justin Jackson (Findlay Prep/YAAACE) is the highest sitting Canadian at 21. Both Murray and Jackson have been arguably the top player in the highly touted 2016 Canadian class.

“Jamal Murray is a special player…He wants the ball in his hands at the end of the game.” In talking about Murray’s recruiting AI HS head coach Larry Blunt mentioned to American media in December ,“His recruitment is heavy. A lot of colleges on him already as a sophomore.”

One school that has been consistently keeping in contact with Murray’s coach is Michigan. Who already boast a Canadian product with Mississauga native Nik Stauskas whose enjoying a stellar sophomore season.

“They’re looking at him as a one or two,” Murray’s father Roger told Scout.com “A lot of people haven’t seen him yet though…Once they see him I know it’ll be different. “He’s a point guard but you can put him anywhere and he’ll produce, basically.”

“For Jamal, anywhere he is going we’re looking for him to play and not really to sit; his game is to play. We’re looking for somewhere where he can go in and play.” Father Roger Murray added.

In the United States for game action this weekend at La Lumiere (IN) School the Murray’s will swing through Ann Arbor to visit Michigan as they host Michigan State at Crisler Center Sunday afternoon.

“This was just kind of on the fly,” Murray said. “Coach told me to call them to get up for the game so this is just on the fly.”

“We want to see how the team is setup, how they run the plays, just seeing how it is there, just to see what the environment is like. I’m not the one playing, he’s playing so.”

Murray is also hearing from Illinois, Syracuse, and Louisville, among many others, growing and learning under the tutelage of his father.

“I trained him all his life,” Murray said. “I’d say he doesn’t have much weaknesses. He can get a little more hops probably but he’s just a floor general…He can control the floor, shoot from anywhere, pull up and do all the moves you could imagine, has a nice handle.”

Kitchener, Ont. native Jamal Murray played a key role for Team Canada capturing bronze at the 2013 FIBA Americas U16 Championship in Uruguay. Murray led the Cadet Men’s National Team (CMNT) in scoring in four of the team’s five contests. His best game of the tournament came against Puerto Rico, where he scored a game-high 24 points, while rounding out his night with seven rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals. The 6-3 guard was one of Canada’s more productive players, averaging 17 points on 46 per cent shooting, with averages of six rebounds, three assists and 2.4 steals in the tournament. Jamal and the CMNT will now set their sights on the 2014 U17 FIBA World Championship for Men later this summer.

Jamal Murray Sweepstakes

Pole Position

- Syracuse
- Michigan

Roger Murray not one to divulge details but many close to the situation see Jamal Murray ending up close to home. Bordering American cities with Ontario make Syracuse & Michigan obvious favourites from the start.

In The Mix

- Florida
- Illinois
- Louisville

If your not based in Western New York or the state of Michigan it doesn’t mean you don’t stand a chance. However with ‘Cuse & ‘Blue allready rolling out the red carpet you better come aggressive. For example, circle the Athlete Institute HS showcase tournament this March 21-23rd, also add the 2014 Caribana NCAA camp to the agenda too.  Illinois’ has been fond off CIA Bounce talent dating back to losing out on Xavier Rathan Mayes on his decision day. Despite the Negus Webster Chan Louisville debacle, with it’s pedigree of reigning defending champs the Cardinals & Hall Of Fame coach Rick Pitino present a stage for Murray second to none. The same goes for the University of Florida who have been monitoring Murray since he took home the 2013 Jordan Brand MVP award.

#37 in America and climbing. The pride and joy of 519 hoops is on demand and the sweepstakes for his signature have officially begun! Stay tuned.