Keegan Murray’s Impact in Sacramento
In Sacramento’s Golden 1 Center, a high-energy chant reverberates each time Kings forward Keegan Murray finds the net. The excitement is kicked off by Scott Moak, the team’s public address announcer, who enthusiastically calls out “KEEGAN!” following every successful shot by Murray, regardless of whether it’s a free throw, layup, three-pointer, or a dunk. The enthusiastic home crowd quickly chants back “MURRAY!” creating an electric atmosphere that amplifies the excitement of the game.
Discussion Among NBA Players
Recently, during an episode of the “White Noise” podcast—hosted by Derrick White of the Boston Celtics and Alex Welsh—Murray’s chant became a point of discussion among NBA players, including Celtics big man Luka Garza and former Celtic Anfernee Simons. They praised the energy of Kings fans, particularly highlighting how raucous the arena can get when Sacramento is winning. Simons vividly recalled the experience of the fans erupting when Murray sunk a three-pointer, illustrating the overwhelming atmosphere of the crowd:
“Oh my goodness. When he hit a three and it’s packed in there…”
Derrick White reflected on how unique and exhilarating he found the chant during Murray’s initial NBA season, stating,
“In his rookie year, I was like, ‘yo, this is the coolest thing I’ve ever heard.'”
Murray’s Connection with Fans
Murray—selected as the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft—has cherished this unique fanfare from his very first game. He expressed to USA TODAY Sports,
“I think every single year I continue to have more appreciation for it…There are not many, or if any, teams that do that kind of thing for their players.”
This connection with fans will continue for at least five more seasons, as Murray recently signed a contract extension worth $140 million with the Kings that will keep him with the team until 2031.
Reflecting on his time in Sacramento, Murray shared,
“Obviously for me to be here another five years is great,”
acknowledging the special bond he shares with the fans.
The Tradition of Player Chants
The tradition of player chants in Sacramento goes back years, with Murray’s current cheer drawing inspiration from previous fan-favorite players. Yogi Ferrell, who played for the Kings from 2018 to 2020, first experienced this phenomenon, expressing his surprise at hearing his name chanted back in 2019:
“When I made the bucket, it felt pretty cool… It just shows how special I feel like I am to them. I love this arena.”
But the chant’s history stretches even further back to Marco Belinelli during the 2015-16 season. After he scored, Moak would initiate a chant by calling out “Marco!” to which the crowd enthusiastically responded with “Polo!” Thus, the strong connection between Kings fans and their players was solidified long before Murray took the court. Some theorize that this chant concept draws inspiration from soccer traditions, such as how Argentinian forward Gonzalo Higuain was introduced to fans while playing for Napoli.
Looking Ahead
Murray and the Kings are set to return to the court after the All-Star break on February 19, facing off against the Orlando Magic at the Golden 1 Center. After nursing an ankle injury for over six weeks, Murray has fully participated in practice and looks forward to rejoining his team for a crucial second half of the season.
As the next chapter unfolds, it’s clear that Keegan Murray’s chant has become more than just a call-and-response; it’s a cultural signature that highlights the electric atmosphere of basketball in Sacramento.
