You’ve probably seen the name Jamal Murray trending for a hundred different reasons. Usually, it's because he just dropped 50 points in a playoff game or hit a buzzer-beater that defies physics. But for a long time, another name was constantly linked to his in Google search bars: Harper Hempel.
It’s one of those sports-world relationships that started out as a sweet college romance and turned into a case study on the dark side of internet fame. Honestly, if you're looking for the typical "glamour couple" story, this isn't exactly it. It’s more complicated than that.
Where it all started: The Kentucky connection
They weren't always "NBA star Jamal Murray and his influencer girlfriend." Once upon a time, they were just two athletes trying to make it through midterms at the University of Kentucky.
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Jamal was the "one-and-done" phenom, lighting up the SEC under John Calipari. Harper Hempel was a standout on the Kentucky Wildcats volleyball team. She wasn't just there for the ride, either; she was a defensive specialist and setter who actually helped the team grab an SEC title.
Basically, they were the ultimate campus power couple.
When Jamal got drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 2016, the dynamic shifted. Long distance is a killer for anyone, but they seemed to make it work while Harper finished her degree in Marketing and Digital Media. She eventually moved to Denver, and for a few years, they were relatively low-key.
The 2020 incident that changed everything
Everything changed in March 2020. You remember that time—the world was shutting down, everyone was stuck at home, and the NBA was on a literal hiatus.
A private, explicit video was posted to Jamal Murray’s Instagram Story. It wasn't there for long, but in the internet age, "not long" is still forever. Screengrabs and recordings were everywhere within minutes. Jamal quickly deactivated his account and claimed he was hacked, while Harper took to Twitter (now X) with a simple, painful plea: "If you have the video please delete it."
It was a mess.
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People were ruthless. Instead of seeing two young people whose privacy had been violated in a massive way, the internet turned it into a meme. It’s kinda crazy how we treat celebrities sometimes. They apologized to the fans—which, frankly, they shouldn't have even had to do—and then they went dark.
Career moves and a shift in privacy
Since that 2020 nightmare, the way they handle their public lives has changed 180 degrees.
Harper Hempel didn't just hide under a rock, though. She leaned into her marketing degree. She’s been working as a social media manager and consultant, even spending time with firms like Fact & Fiction. She also runs her own photography business, Harper Hempel Photography, focusing on portraits and lifestyle shots.
She's good at it. You can tell she has an eye for the "vibe" that brands want.
Meanwhile, Jamal’s career went into the stratosphere. He helped lead the Nuggets to their first-ever NBA Championship in 2023. He became a max-contract player. He’s arguably the best player in the league who hasn’t made an All-Star team (yet).
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But throughout all that success, the "Harper" questions remained.
Are they still together?
This is the part where everyone wants a straight answer, but the truth is... it's a mystery.
- They stopped posting each other on social media entirely.
- Fans noticed Harper wasn't necessarily front-and-center during the 2023 championship parade.
- Rumors fly every few months, but neither has confirmed a breakup or a wedding.
Actually, it makes a lot of sense. After what happened in 2020, why would they ever want to share their private lives with the public again? They learned the hard way that the internet doesn't protect you.
The reality of NBA relationships in 2026
The story of Jamal Murray and Harper Hempel is really about the loss of privacy. In the current landscape of 2026, where every "WAG" (wives and girlfriends) of an NBA player is expected to be a full-time content creator, Harper’s move toward a more professional, behind-the-scenes career is actually pretty refreshing.
She isn't trying to be the next reality star. She’s just a woman with a business degree and a camera.
Jamal, for his part, has kept his head down and focused on being a cornerstone for the Nuggets. He’s been putting up career-high numbers—including that insane 55-point game earlier in 2025—and his social media is almost exclusively about basketball and his brand partners.
What we can learn from them
If you're looking for a takeaway, it's basically this: don't believe everything you see (or don't see) on Instagram.
- Privacy is a choice: Just because a couple doesn't post "happy anniversary" photos doesn't mean they aren't together.
- Digital footprints are permanent: Even if you're a multi-millionaire NBA star, one security breach can change your public image for years.
- Resilience matters: Both of them have built successful, independent careers despite a very public and embarrassing violation of their personal lives.
If you want to support Harper, check out her photography work or her consulting insights on LinkedIn. If you're a Jamal fan, just keep watching him cook on the court. Some things are better left off the timeline.
Next steps for you: Check your own social media privacy settings today. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Instagram and Twitter accounts to avoid the kind of "hacking" incident that started this whole saga for Jamal and Harper.