Lamont Paris 'can't wait' to get Collin Murray-Boyles on campus

On3 imageby:Collyn Taylor05/12/23

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When South Carolina landed a commitment from Collin Murray-Boyles back over the summer there was a ton of internal optimism about what he could turn into.

As the Gamecocks’ signee wraps up a standout senior season and gets ready to enroll, Lamont Paris is also glad to see the pundits and recruiting services catch up. 

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“I value skill at a very high level. I’m looking forward to getting him here. Oftentimes you have to visualize where you think a player can be,” Paris said. “So it’s neat once you do that and offer a kid a scholarship and he has a great senior year. The pundits now think he’s really good. I thought he was really good for a long time. I can’t wait to get him here.” 

Murray-Boyles was one of the first players Paris and his assistant Tanner Bronson went to go see after getting to South Carolina. They offered soon, landing a commitment over the summer. 

Most services didn’t have him ranked at the time of his commitment. But they’ve now vaulted him into the top 115 of the industry rankings. He comes to Columbia as a four-star prospect. 

On3 rates Murray-Boyles the No. 111 prospect in the class and the No. 20 player at his power forward position. He comes in at No. 102 in the industry rankings while being the No. 15 power forward.

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“He was one of the first guys I went and saw once I got here and got settled into where I could finally start recruiting some of the younger guys,” Paris said. “Obviously, I had gone over to see GG (Jackson) and some other local prospects. I went in and saw Collin and he’s a very skilled guy. You can tell just in a workout how skilled he was.”

Services moved him into the rankings after a standout year at Wasatch (Utah) Academy. He was one of the best players in the NIBC, arguably the best high school league in the country. 

Murray-Boyles finished third in the NIBC in scoring (15.4 points/game). He averaged a league-best 8.8 rebounds per game while putting up 6.1 defensive rebounds per game. 

The 6-foot-7 forward shot 69.5 percent from the field, averaging 2.1 assists and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting. 

It’s hard sometimes for freshmen to chisel out a role. But it’s not unheard of to think Murray-Boyles could play a ton of minutes next season if he continues to develop.

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“Versatility and skill and he knows how to play and pass. He can shoot. His range is extending. Who knows what all that looks like when you change speed from high school to college. Not only college but SEC level athleticism and length,” Paris said.

“He’s a very versatile player. He knows how to play and he’s really skilled. I can’t say enough about how he catches. He has really good hands and catches the ball. That’s one thing that’s very difficult to improve if you don’t do that naturally.”

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