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Former Ole Miss Guard Signs NBA Contract With Utah Jazz

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Levi Dombro | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 3:46 PM ET

The Ole Miss Rebels basketball program enjoyed a major resurgence during the 2024-25 season. Second-year head coach Chris Beard helped turn the team around, but one key roster holdover from the previous era was pivotal in this success.

During coach Kermit Davis' tenure, he was able to land a commitment from highly touted four-star class of 2020 guard Matthew Murrell. He was the highest-rated recruit to sign with Ole Miss basketball at the time.

Murrell grew into both a fan favorite and a program legend while in Oxford. When he graduated after this year's Sweet 16 run, he did so as the Rebels' all-time leader in games and minutes played.

While his career at Ole Miss is over, his professional basketball journey is just beginning. Murrell went undrafted during the 2025 NBA Draft, but he received good news on Friday.

Draft Express' Jonathan Givony reported that Murrell agreed to a deal with the NBA's Utah Jazz. While the extent of his contract was not disclosed, the former Rebels star will have an opportunity to at least prove himself during the NBA Summer League.

Utah selected two other guards during the first round of the draft, Rutgers' Ace Bailey and Florida's Walter Clayton Jr. He will also have to compete with experienced players like Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson and Keyonte George for playing time.

As far as his legacy at Ole Miss, Murrell played himself into the history books in more than one way. He finished third in program history in three-point field goal attempts, fourth in both three-pointers made and steals, fifth in field goal attempts and seventh in total points scored.

Coach Beard will look to mitigate the loss of him and fellow seniors Sean Pedulla, Dre Davis and Jaemyn Brakefield with transfers like AJ Storr, Travis Perry, Koren Johnson and James Scott.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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