By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Until about a week ago, I figured Kris Murray would return for his junior season at Iowa.

I figured he would explore the draft process to see where he stands as a prospect before ultimately deciding to return to college.

But then a very reliable source told me that Kris was expected to be invited to the NBA pre-draft combine, and that his return to Iowa was not a sure thing. The person didn’t want to go on the record, but then news broke on Tuesday that Kris Murray was among a handful of players that have been added to the list of players invited to the next week’s combine in Chicago.

Illinois center Kofi Cockburn also has been invited to the combine, according to ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony.

This is a key development for the 6-foot-8 Kris Murray in his quest to join his twin brother, Keegan Murray, in the NBA next season.

While Keegan Murray is considered a lock to be a lottery pick in this year’s two-round draft, Kris Murray’s situation is more uncertain, although, his stock is rising with at least two mock drafts predicting that he will be selected in the second round, and as high as 33^rd overall.

The concern with being picked in the second round is that the contracts aren’t guaranteed, so there is a risk involved, unlike the first round where the money is guaranteed.

But all it takes is for one team to like you.

The fact that Kris Murray has been invited to the combine doesn’t necessarily mean that his Hawkeye career is over. He could attend the combine and still return to Iowa next season.

Selfishly, you hope he returns to Iowa because he would be a key piece to next year’s team, maybe the most important piece.

His twin brother leaves behind a huge void as a high-scoring combo forward, and Kris is expected to help fill that void.

Kris played mostly as a reserve this past season, and he struggled with consistency and with foul problems.

But he also scored 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a win over Indiana, and he looked like a future NBA player while doing it.

It’s easy to see why the NBA would be interested in Kris Murray because his skills and upside are obvious.

From his ability to make 3-point shots to his ability to guard multiple postions to his ability play both inside and outside, there is a lot to like about Kris Murray’s game.

That’s why Iowa fans would love for him to return for another season.

But Kris Murray is also three years removed from high school after having attended prep school for one year, and his dream is to play in the NBA, sooner than later.

If Kris Murray is convinced that an NBA team will select him in the draft, and that he will make a roster, it would be hard to argue against him pursuing that opportunity.

Should Kris Murray ultimately decide to return to Iowa, it would mark the first time that he and his twin brother weren’t together.

My only hope is that Kris Murray makes the best decision for himself.

He and his brother both have represented Iowa with class, as did their father, former Iowa basketball player Kenyon Murray, in the 1990s.

The Murray brothers are fortunate to have a strong supporting cast around them, beginning with their parents.

They have helped them get this far, and will continue to help by offering sound advice.