Collin Murray-Boyles turning veterans' heads during summer workouts
Myles Stute is no stranger to seeing forwards in the SEC. He saw them up close and personal over three seasons at Vanderbilt and will again this season at South Carolina.
And Stute also thinks Gamecocks freshman Collin Murray-Boyles has a lot of traits that stack up with some of the best he’s seen.
“He’s up there. I think he’s definitely someone that needs to be in the rotation for us this year and getting consistent minutes,” Stute said. “From what I’ve seen this summer, he’s going to be ready to go this fall.”
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Murray-Boyles–who grew up in Columbia–was the first commitment in the 2023 class for South Carolina, announcing his decision before a strong senior season at Wasatch (Utah) Academy.
He finished as one of the best big men in the NIBC while earning All-League honors, and skyrocketed into the top 150 in the On3 Industry Rankings.
Murray-Boyles came to South Carolina the No. 104 player in the Industry Rankings and a four-star prospect. On3 had him as the No. 115 player in the class and the No. 21 power forward.
He parlayed that growth into a strong summer with the Gamecocks and turning the heads of a few different veterans.
“He has incredible feel around the rim,” Stephen Clark said. “He’s got great touch with his left hand. He’s strong for a freshman. I think he’s only like 17 and he’s only going to get better as the years go on. He’ll be an NBA player by the end of his time here.”
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He showed why South Carolina’s staff liked him in the recruitment process averaging 10 points and four rebounds during the Gamecocks’ Bahamas trip.
Murray-Boyles looked the part in game two, going a perfect 7-for-7 from the field while hitting a pair of threes) for 16 points and hauling in six rebounds.
Stute also likes his IQ and what Murray-Boyles does within the flow of an offense or defense. And it wouldn’t be shocking to see him garnering minutes while playing in the Gamecocks’ frontcourt.
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“He’s really cerebral. He knows when to get to certain spots at the right time, when to make a certain cut at the right time. Then he’s very physical and relentless,” Stute said.
“On the boards, he’s going after every single offensive or defensive rebound. It doesn’t matter, whatever shot goes up he’s going after it. I’d say he’s pretty advanced in pick-and-roll coverage as well by being able to stay between his man and the ball.”
Murray-Boyles is part of a three-man freshman class that also includes two other three-star prospects in Arden Conyers from Westwood (S.C.) High School and Finnish point guard Morris Ugusuk.
It’s a group that Meechie Johnson thinks can be really productive during their careers if they stick together.
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“True story, when I first saw Collin play, I’m not from South Carolina so I didn’t really know him. I didn’t know what his game was like. First couple of practices, I’m like, ‘This kid can play.’ He can jump and do a lot of things at his size many people can’t do. Then you have people like Arden. And he’s had practices where he’s dominated on his team and his side by making shots and cutting. I’m very, very surprised with how he’s developed,” Johnson said.
“Being a freshman in this conference is not easy. Playing in this conference as a freshman is not easy. Even Morris, the kid who may redshirt, this is his first practice today and he almost swiped the ball from me. I didn’t expect it from these guys…If these guys stay together I think South Carolina will have a great future. It’s a great young core.”
