University of North Carolina Athletics
Jaelynn Murray is described as the "heart and soul of Carolina"
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Murray's Impact Transcends Statistics
March 25, 2022 | Women's Basketball
GREENSBORO, N.C. – As the UNC women's basketball team celebrated Saturday's first-round NCAA Tournament win over Stephen F. Austin, the program's first victory in post-season play since 2015, there was an obvious choice to place the "NORTH CAROLINA" sticker on the McKale Center's mammoth bracket, symbolically moving UNC on to the second round of play.
"That's a big moment – it's one of those things you don't think about as a coach until it's right in front of your face," said third-year coach Courtney Banghart, who will lead the Tar Heels into Sweet 16 play on Friday. "I was grateful that decision was such an easy one and that Jaelynn Murray was going to be the one to advance us into the next round, her being the team's heart and soul."
Murray, one of the Tar Heels' three team captains, didn't get off the bench in UNC's 79-66 win over the Ladyjacks in Tucson, Ariz., nor in the 63-45 victory over host Arizona to earn the regional semifinals slot. But anyone around the Carolina program will tell you that Murray – who is from Columbia, S.C. and whose mother, Michelle, played for at South Carolina – shouldered a major role in both victories, and in the other 23 this season for the Tar Heels (25-6), who take on the top-ranked Gamecocks (31-2) on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Greensboro Coliseum. The game will air on ESPN.
"What Jaelynn has meant to this program is she has cared about Carolina, she has stuck with it," Banghart said. "She's been a shining light of how you treat other people and how you love and commit to a program regardless of your individual minutes. It's so easy for our team to be hard-working and committed and selfless because our senior captain is that way.
"Her legacy will be embedded in our culture forever and that sounds so cliché, but for me to have a gift like that has been forever impactful in how this whole thing started."
Murray graduated from Carolina with her bachelor's degree in information science in May of 2021 and is now working toward a graduate degree in the UNC School of Education. As a fifth-year player – she redshirted the 2019-20 season after tearing her ACL in a preseason exhibition – she's the most veteran person in the program by two years, as the coaching staff is in its third year and the student-athlete with the next-longest tenure is junior Malu Tshitenge. Murray has appeared in 15 games this season while battling a variety of injuries but came off the bench to score a season-high seven points in the Senior Day win over Duke, much to the delight of her teammates.
Banghart often speaks of "basketball mortality," and Murray's is such that her career ends when the Tar Heels' season does. But it's clear her mark on the program will endure.
Read on for what her teammates say about her:
"Jaelynn is one of the funniest people I have ever met and also has one of the biggest hearts. I'm so grateful to have met her during my time at Chapel Hill and I know she will leave a lasting impact on the Carolina women's basketball program."
– Carlie Littlefield
"Jaelynn is the key to our success. She encourages, motivates, and inspires our team through her leadership. Her voice and experience is something that we rely on. Jaelynn is the type of person you meet once in your life. Her impact will last a lifetime because of how well she treats her teammates. I cannot wait to tell my future kids about my old teammate Jaelynn Murray."
– Alyssa Ustby
"Jaelynn is all things Carolina, she's poured so much into this community and team that does not go unnoticed. I can't wait to see what she accomplishes in the future!"
– Eva Hodgson
"Jaelynn is such a bright light. She brings the energy into any room that she walks into and never fails to put a smile on anyone's face."
– Destiny Adams
"Jaelynn is like a big sister I never had. In the little time I've known her, she's became one of my closest friends and I'm grateful for her."
– Deja Kelly
"Jaelynn is the heart and soul of Carolina. She brings her energy and her personality, and that reflects Carolina exceptionally."
– Anya Poole
"Jaelynn is the light of this team! She brings everyone together with her energy. She is the definition of Carolina women's basketball."
– Kennedy Todd-Williams
"Jaelynn is a natural leader who always has a smile and positive, uplifting vibes!"
– Teonni Key
"Jaelynn is someone who inspires me and pushes me every single day on and off the court. She brings the joy and laughter to my day, each and every day."
– Malu Tshitenge
"Jaelynn is a ball of energy, she always knows how get us hype. She is the team big sister – you can count on her for literally anything and she always leads by example."
– Morasha Wiggins
"Jaelynn is one of the funniest, most caring, and free spirited people I've ever met. She makes sure she's a positive light wherever she is and you can't help but to love her."
– Ariel Young
"The contributions Jae has had on this program can never be put into words. Let's just say she is a constant light and voice to this team, as everyone says she IS Carolina, meaning that she is everything we hope a player or person will be like here at this school and program."
– Alexandra Zelaya
"Jaelynn is the heart and soul of this team. In addition to that she is a huge role model for my children. She makes them feel so special every time they are around her. I am so glad that our paths crossed and I look forward to see what the future holds for this one!"
– Assistant Coach Itoro Coleman
"Jaelynn Murray has been a consistent representation of and ambassador for Carolina women's basketball and our Carolina family. She has left a memorable impression on anyone who has visited or spent time with our program! She is Carolina, in her selflessness, genuine and loving spirit, academic vision and her pure love for all things UNC."
– Assistant Coach Joanne Aluka-White
"Jaelynn is a leader on and off the floor. She exemplifies the NCAA model and definition of Student-Athlete. Thank you for your sacrifice, your leadership and all the little things you do that don't show up on the court. I will always know you as "DO" Dubs only! Go get'em"
– Assistant Coach Adrian Walters
"That's a big moment – it's one of those things you don't think about as a coach until it's right in front of your face," said third-year coach Courtney Banghart, who will lead the Tar Heels into Sweet 16 play on Friday. "I was grateful that decision was such an easy one and that Jaelynn Murray was going to be the one to advance us into the next round, her being the team's heart and soul."
Murray, one of the Tar Heels' three team captains, didn't get off the bench in UNC's 79-66 win over the Ladyjacks in Tucson, Ariz., nor in the 63-45 victory over host Arizona to earn the regional semifinals slot. But anyone around the Carolina program will tell you that Murray – who is from Columbia, S.C. and whose mother, Michelle, played for at South Carolina – shouldered a major role in both victories, and in the other 23 this season for the Tar Heels (25-6), who take on the top-ranked Gamecocks (31-2) on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Greensboro Coliseum. The game will air on ESPN.
"What Jaelynn has meant to this program is she has cared about Carolina, she has stuck with it," Banghart said. "She's been a shining light of how you treat other people and how you love and commit to a program regardless of your individual minutes. It's so easy for our team to be hard-working and committed and selfless because our senior captain is that way.
"Her legacy will be embedded in our culture forever and that sounds so cliché, but for me to have a gift like that has been forever impactful in how this whole thing started."
Murray graduated from Carolina with her bachelor's degree in information science in May of 2021 and is now working toward a graduate degree in the UNC School of Education. As a fifth-year player – she redshirted the 2019-20 season after tearing her ACL in a preseason exhibition – she's the most veteran person in the program by two years, as the coaching staff is in its third year and the student-athlete with the next-longest tenure is junior Malu Tshitenge. Murray has appeared in 15 games this season while battling a variety of injuries but came off the bench to score a season-high seven points in the Senior Day win over Duke, much to the delight of her teammates.
Banghart often speaks of "basketball mortality," and Murray's is such that her career ends when the Tar Heels' season does. But it's clear her mark on the program will endure.
Read on for what her teammates say about her:
"Jaelynn is one of the funniest people I have ever met and also has one of the biggest hearts. I'm so grateful to have met her during my time at Chapel Hill and I know she will leave a lasting impact on the Carolina women's basketball program."
– Carlie Littlefield
"Jaelynn is the key to our success. She encourages, motivates, and inspires our team through her leadership. Her voice and experience is something that we rely on. Jaelynn is the type of person you meet once in your life. Her impact will last a lifetime because of how well she treats her teammates. I cannot wait to tell my future kids about my old teammate Jaelynn Murray."
– Alyssa Ustby
"Jaelynn is all things Carolina, she's poured so much into this community and team that does not go unnoticed. I can't wait to see what she accomplishes in the future!"
– Eva Hodgson
"Jaelynn is such a bright light. She brings the energy into any room that she walks into and never fails to put a smile on anyone's face."
– Destiny Adams
"Jaelynn is like a big sister I never had. In the little time I've known her, she's became one of my closest friends and I'm grateful for her."
– Deja Kelly
"Jaelynn is the heart and soul of Carolina. She brings her energy and her personality, and that reflects Carolina exceptionally."
– Anya Poole
"Jaelynn is the light of this team! She brings everyone together with her energy. She is the definition of Carolina women's basketball."
– Kennedy Todd-Williams
"Jaelynn is a natural leader who always has a smile and positive, uplifting vibes!"
– Teonni Key
"Jaelynn is someone who inspires me and pushes me every single day on and off the court. She brings the joy and laughter to my day, each and every day."
– Malu Tshitenge
"Jaelynn is a ball of energy, she always knows how get us hype. She is the team big sister – you can count on her for literally anything and she always leads by example."
– Morasha Wiggins
"Jaelynn is one of the funniest, most caring, and free spirited people I've ever met. She makes sure she's a positive light wherever she is and you can't help but to love her."
– Ariel Young
"The contributions Jae has had on this program can never be put into words. Let's just say she is a constant light and voice to this team, as everyone says she IS Carolina, meaning that she is everything we hope a player or person will be like here at this school and program."
– Alexandra Zelaya
"Jaelynn is the heart and soul of this team. In addition to that she is a huge role model for my children. She makes them feel so special every time they are around her. I am so glad that our paths crossed and I look forward to see what the future holds for this one!"
– Assistant Coach Itoro Coleman
"Jaelynn Murray has been a consistent representation of and ambassador for Carolina women's basketball and our Carolina family. She has left a memorable impression on anyone who has visited or spent time with our program! She is Carolina, in her selflessness, genuine and loving spirit, academic vision and her pure love for all things UNC."
– Assistant Coach Joanne Aluka-White
"Jaelynn is a leader on and off the floor. She exemplifies the NCAA model and definition of Student-Athlete. Thank you for your sacrifice, your leadership and all the little things you do that don't show up on the court. I will always know you as "DO" Dubs only! Go get'em"
– Assistant Coach Adrian Walters
Players Mentioned
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