Raptors Draft Collin Murray-Boyles: A New Era Begins

Collin Murray-Boyles, the South Carolina Gamecocks’ forward, is heading to the Toronto Raptors after being selected as the ninth pick in the NBA Draft. This marks a significant moment, heralding the beginning of a new chapter for both the athlete and the franchise.

Murray-Boyles Joins the Raptors

During the NBA Draft on Wednesday night, Collin Murray-Boyles learned his fate quickly. The Toronto Raptors chose him as the ninth overall pick. This achievement makes him the first Gamecock lottery pick in the modern draft era. It also marks his entry as the first first-round selection since Renaldo Balkman in 2006. His selection is the second-highest for a USC player, following Tom Riker in 1972.

With the Raptors, Murray-Boyles could immediately make an impact on the team. He will be joining a team that embraces versatile players, particularly those who excel in defense and show a strong work ethic. He will be playing with offensively skilled players such as Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, and RJ Barrett, as well as shot-blocking bigs like Jakob Poeltl, Colin Castleton, and Chris Boucher. Murray-Boyles can be utilized as a defensive force to counter top wings and non-center forwards from rival teams.

Murray-Boyles will join former Gamecock AJ Lawson in Toronto, who finished last season with a strong performance.

A Versatile Two-Way Star

Collin Murray-Boyles, a native of Columbia, showcased versatility and was a two-way star playing for his hometown Gamecocks. As a sophomore in the 2024-2025 season at South Carolina, he was the only player in college basketball to average at least 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block while shooting 55% from the field. During his freshman year, he earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team despite missing time due to mononucleosis. The following year, he received All-SEC honors before declaring for the NBA Draft.

Defensive Prowess

The NBA values defenders who can play multiple positions, which perfectly describes Collin Murray-Boyles. He can defend against all but the biggest players and most wings. He can even hold his own against some guards. This adaptability will be crucial to his early success in the NBA. Some NBA Draft analysts believe Murray-Boyles‘ defensive ability and instincts are the best in this year’s class.

“Murray-Boyles is efficient near the basket and has a feel for passing that is rare for a post player.”

—Unknown

Although there is room for him to improve on offense, particularly with his jumper, Murray-Boyles excels near the basket. He has a unique passing ability, rare for a post player. If he becomes a proficient shooter and maintains his efficiency, he could become a top two-way player at the professional level, matching his college performance. According to a recent report, NBA teams are increasingly prioritizing defensive versatility, with 75% of teams emphasizing it in their draft evaluations (NBA.com).

Looking Ahead

The NBA Summer League is set to start on July 10th. Murray-Boyles is likely to make his debut during the Summer League, like many other young players.