In a powerful and deeply personal revelation, Dejounte Murray recently shared a story that underscores the profound impact Gregg Popovich had on his life—not just as a coach, but as a father figure.
During an appearance on The Pivot Podcast, the New Orleans Pelicans guard opened up about a traumatic moment from his rookie season with the San Antonio Spurs, when his mother was shot in the leg—and how Popovich responded with a gesture of quiet compassion.
Murray recalled that Popovich, upon learning of the shooting, personally called his mother and offered to move her to San Antonio—not with team resources, but with his own money. Murray didn’t even know about the call until after the fact.
“He’s so real. He tried to move my mom to San Antonio with his own money after she got shot,” Murray said. “He called her himself—without me knowing. ‘We want to move you here.’ No—not with his money, with my money. That sounds like a dude that cares about me and loves me, right?”
For Murray, who grew up in a turbulent environment in Seattle and often speaks about the violence and instability he witnessed, Popovich’s gesture wasn’t just about logistics—it was about emotional safety and belief.
Popovich’s influence on Murray extended far beyond the court. The 5-time NBA champion coach became a stabilizing force in the young guard’s life, offering guidance, empathy, and a sense of belonging. Murray described Pop as someone who wanted him to succeed in life first, then as a basketball player.
“He’s never had a player come into his office and cry on his shoulder about how many murders he had to deal with back home in Seattle, how many funerals I had to pay for,” Murray said. “That was a man who cared about me.”
Popovich, now serving as the Spurs’ President of Basketball Operations, has long been known for his no-nonsense coaching style and championship pedigree. But stories like this reveal the humanity behind the legend—a coach who sees his players as people first, and who acts on that belief when it matters most.
