San Antonio Spurs backcourt ranked in SI’s Top 100

Both members of the San Antonio Spurs up and coming backcourt were ranked in SI’s Top 100 NBA Players of 2020. Derrick White was ranked slightly ahead of Dejounte Murray in the recently released rankings.

Sports Illustrated recently released their ranking of the top 100 players in the NBA ahead of the 2020 season. SI’s Rob Mahoney ranked players based on a combination of data and analysis to predict who will be among the best players this year. Both members of the San Antonio Spurs promising backcourt were included in these rankings.

Derrick White and Dejounte Murray were ranked closely together. Murray came in at 94 and White was slightly higher at 91. That’s lower than Spurs fans would have hoped to see the two. One factor that helps explain the ranking is that a players future potential past the 2019-2020 season was not factored into their rank.

San Antonio’s guards are among the most promising in the league. But based purely on who they are at this stage in their careers they seem appropriately ranked.

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White’s ranking is fair. After being handed the reins in December he really grew into the role. Even for a young player he rarely seemed rattled and was one of San Antonio’s most consistent players.

He was a stout defender and made all the right reads on offense. Throughout the season he showed flashes of athleticism that many didn’t know he had in him.

He does have areas of his game he could improve on. His three-point shooting is certainly something that will have develop if his rank is to go up. He’s got a big season in front of him but he’s ready. His time with Gregg Popovich and Team USA is sure to help springboard his development.

I truly believe that Dejounte Murray is going to be a star. He’s a rare talent and a lot of how the future of the San Antonio Spurs looks is based on how he develops as a player. When we last saw him he was already an outstanding defender and rebounder. It was his offensive game that needed real work.

There is a degree of uncertainty to Murray’s future, he is coming back from a torn ACL. But everything that we’ve seen this summer, from being cleared by doctors and the Spurs staff to his performance in pick-up games, says that he’s primed to take the league by storm.

I Just Want To Thank God, My Training Staff, Team Doctor’s, Coaches, Teammates And My Family And Friends For Being With Me Through It All! Today I Got CLEARED By My Doctor’s And The Whole @Spurs Staff To Finish Out My Summer Strong With No Limitations! ?? #DM5Back? pic.twitter.com/3bMYlecDfj

— Dejounte Murray (@DejounteMurray) August 10, 2019

If the offensive game that we’ve seen from practice and pick-up games carries into the season Dejounte’s ranking will surely rise. Both he and White are primed for great seasons.

Both of the San Antonio Spurs young point guard’s are already impressive players. But there’s plenty of room for improvement. If Murray and White play up to their ceilings their rankings in lists like these are sure to improve.