By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Keegan Murray’s decision to enter the 2022 NBA Draft as a 21-year old, third-year sophomore came as no surprise to probably most Hawkeye fans.

It would’ve made little to no sense for the 6-foot-8 Murray to return for another season since he is considered a sure-lock to be selected in the first round of the two-round draft where there is a guaranteed life-changing money, and maybe even a lottery pick.

Three years removed from high school, Keegan Murray is almost considered old by NBA draft standards.

He also just finished one of the greatest individual seasons in program history, earning consensus first-team All-America status.

So, the timing is perfect.

Joe Toussaint’s decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal, on the other hand, did come as a surprise.

He and Murray both announced their decisions late Tuesday afternoon on social media.

“After much consideration and thought, I have decided to put my name in the transfer portal to pursue an expanded role at another institution,” Toussaint said in his post.

In other words, Toussaint is looking for more playing time, which makes you wonder how his end-of-the-season meeting with Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery went recently.

Toussaint started the first 21 games at point guard this past season, but then he lost the starting spot when Fran McCaffery shifted Jordan Bohannon from shooting guard back to point guard, and made Tony Perkins the starter at shooting guard.

Toussaint handled the demotion with maturity and with class, and his contributions off the bench were a key to Iowa winning the Big Ten Tournament and 26 games overall.

It makes you wonder if Toussaint wanted more of a commitment from Fran McCaffery that he would be the starting point guard next season, and that McCaffery refused to make that commitment.

Toussaint seemed in position to be the starting point guard next season with Bohannon having finally used up his eligibility after six seasons, and with Toussaint having played a more prominent role than fellow point guard Ahron Ulis down the stretch.

But for Toussaint to say that he is looking for an expanded role at a different institution is very telling.

Toussaint has struggled as a perimeter shooting, having made just 9-of-35 shots from 3-point range this past season.

So, perhaps Fran McCaffery will now look for a guard in the portal who shoots better from the perimeter than Toussaint does.

Assuming Ulis returns next season, which now seems more likely, he and incoming freshman Dasante Bowen will compete for the starting point guard position next season.

Connor McCaffery also could play point guard, assuming he returns for a sixth season, which seems likely.

Toussaint’s decision seems strictly basketball related.

He’s from New York City, so maybe he’ll pick a school closer to home.

But whatever the case, Toussaint will leave behind a proud legacy as a Hawkeye, and he also has made friends for life, including Iowa forward Patrick McCafffery, who is Fran McCaffery’s son.

Patrick McCaffery and Toussaint were in the same recruiting class and they became close friends at Iowa.

This can’t be easy for Patrick McCaffery to see a teammate and close friend go in another direction.

But part of being a close friend is wishing the best for your friend as Patrick McCaffery did on Twitter when the news broke that Toussaint had entered the portal.

https://twitter.com/patrickmccaff22/status/1508927799331110916?s=20&t=b7co6o38v885w-7-BzDeqA

Toussaint has to do what he feels is in his best interest.

He represented Iowa with class and with high character, and he was the ultimate competitor and teammate.

Iowa will miss his quickness, his toughness, his moxie and just his presence.

Keegan Murray also has to do what he feels is in his best interest, and the chance to become a multi-millionaire from the playing the game he loves is just too good to pass up.

“Iowa will always be my home and I’m forever grateful to be part of Hawkeye Nation,” said Keegan Murray, who is from Cedar Rapids and the son of former Iowa basketball player Kenyon Murray.

Keegan Murray said he really didn’t start seriously thinking about entering the NBA draft until after the season. He credits his family for helping to limit the distractions.

“They really didn’t start talking about it until after the season,” Murray said Tuesday, “because they wanted me to stay focused on the year and how that went. That was kind of the best thing for me, to keep that distraction aside. There was obviously a lot of talk about it during the season. I felt like I really kept my composure and just focused on the team throughout the season.

“Now I can just focus on getting myself better as a player and be ready for my future.”

His twin brother, meanwhile, can now focus on becoming one of Iowa’s go-to players on offense next season.

Keegan Murray’s decision to enter the draft will cause he and his twin brother, Kris Murray, to separate as basketball players for the first time in their lives.

But for both, the future looks bright, and the same with Toussaint because no matter where he transfers, his new team will be getting a lightning-quick point guard who is fearless and unselfish.

https://twitter.com/jtoussaint_2/status/1508928036414136324?s=20&t=b7co6o38v885w-7-BzDeqA

https://twitter.com/jtoussaint_2/status/1508928036414136324?s=20&t=b7co6o38v885w-7-BzDeqA