Gone are the days of finishing homework and worrying about tests for Jamal Murray and Alex Poythress. Now, the two former Wildcats are fully committed to selling their “brand” and furthering their new professional careers.

Since the end of the NBA Draft, both Murray and Poythress have been working hard to learn how to carry themselves in the “real” world and how to adjust to the NBA level.

So far, it’s been a positive experience for both.

“Yeah, it’s different and I enjoy it and like it,” Poythress said. “I like using my own name and trying to do stuff for me and trying to boost it to the best of my abilities.”

Murray and Poythress have had very different starts to their NBA careers, however. While Murray was selected seventh overall in the draft by the Denver Nuggets, Poythress went undrafted throughout the night.

But Poythress was still able to show off his skills to NBA teams when the 6-foot-8 forward received an invite to join the Orlando Magic’s summer team. In five games with the team (including one start), Poythress averaged 5.0 points and 1.4 rebounds in 10.6 minutes per game.

Since then, Poythress said “a couple teams” have reached out to him about coming to their training camps. Even though Poythress wasn’t specific about which teams he talked to due to not having signed any official deal yet, he was confident in his ability to eventually make a team roster, as it is still his overall goal.

“Things are looking optimistic,” Poythress said.

As always though, there continues to be concerns for teams with Poythress’ knees. Poythress skipped workouts during the pre-draft process to rehab from numerous knee injuries while playing at Kentucky.

But when asked about his knees’ current status, Poythress said they’re “great” and that the extra rehab he did helped contribute to that.

“When I was training out in (Los Angeles), I was doing a lot of rehab and PT (physical therapy),” Poythress said. “Added a couple more inches to my vertical. I feel fine and real healthy and I’m ready to roll.”

As for Murray, it’s not so much about securing a roster spot on a team as it is adjusting to the new level. After scoring a combined 20 points and shooting 7 for 23 in his first two summer games with the Nuggets, Murray finished with 20-plus points in each of the last three games and shot for an average of 46.8 percent from the field.

After the Summer League was over, Murray signed a four-year deal (two-year team option) with Denver while earning $6.6 million during his first two seasons with the team.

Murray acknowledged having to adjust quickly to the new level, including getting the ball out of his hands a lot faster than he was previously used to.

“Instead of a 35 (second)-shot clock, it’s a 24 now,” Murray said. “So coaches want you to get the first open look and take it. I’m just trying to get used to that. Not always looking for the best available shot, just kind of take the first one that is open.”

Both players have shed their college-level statuses, and both are in the thick of the NBA workload. Whether it’s working to find a spot on a team or impress their current squad, both Murray and Poythress said they know it’s all about dealing with the grind of the professional world.

“Just strictly gym and the weight room and then resting your body,” Murray said. “It’s just kind of repetitive and learning from the guys on the team about their schedules and stuff like that.”