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Dejounte Murray reflects on Gregg Popovich's fatherly impact

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 30, 2026, 11:05 AM

Last updated Aug 30, 2026

Dejounte Murray reflects on Gregg Popovich's fatherly impact

Summary

Dejounte Murray spoke about his deep connection with Coach Gregg Popovich during his time with the San Antonio Spurs. Murray characterized Popovich as a father figure who genuinely cared for his well-being, helping him navigate personal challenges off the court. This influence became particularly significant during Murray's rookie season when he faced family hardships. The bond forged during those formative years continues to resonate with Murray as he rebuilds his career after recovering from an Achilles injury.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Murray described Popovich as a father figure in a recent interview.
•Popovich supported Murray during personal challenges, including family violence.
•Their bond developed during Murray's five seasons with the Spurs.
•Murray is currently trying to rebuild his career after an Achilles injury.

Latest Updates

11:05 AMYahoo Sports — ‘He Was Like a Father Figure’ — Dejounte Murray Opens Up About Gregg Popovich’s Impact on His Life

What they're saying

"
Some NBA relationships are built around basketball. Dejounte Murray’s bond with Gregg Popovich clearly went much deeper, and years after leaving the San Antonio Spurs, Murray is still opening up about the coach who cared about his life before his career. That meant stepping into problems most young players would struggle to handle alone. For [...]
— Yahoo Sports

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