South Carolina basketball's Collin Murray-Boyles selected in NBA Draft first round by Toronto Raptors

South Carolina basketball forward Collin Murray-Boyles didn’t have to wait too long to hear his name called during Wednesday night’s NBA Draft. A lottery pick, Murray-Boyles was selected with the No. 9 pick by the Toronto Raptors. He is the first Gamecock lottery pick in the modern draft era. He is also the first first-round selection since Renaldo Balkman in 2006. The 9th pick is the third-highest selection ever for a USC player, behind only Tom Riker in 1972 (8th to the New York Knicks) and Gary Gregor in 1968 (8th to the Phoenix Suns).

With the Toronto Raptors, Murray-Boyles could be an impact player immediately. He joins a team that likes to utilize multi-positional players, especially ones who can defend and will play hard. With more offensive-minded wings like Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, and RJ Barrett and shot-blocking bigs like Jakob Poeltl, Colin Castleton, and Chris Boucher, Murray-Boyles can be deployed as a defensive demon against opposing teams’ top wings or non-center forwards.

With the Raptors, he joins fellow former Gamecock AJ Lawson, a player who had a strong finish to last season.

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Murray-Boyles, a Columbia native, was a versatile two-way star playing for his hometown Gamecocks. During his sophomore 2024-2025 season at South Carolina, he was the only player in college basketball who averaged at least 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block while shooting 55% from the field. As a freshman, he made the SEC All-Freshman team despite missing some time recovering from mononucleosis. Then, in year two, he earned All-SEC honors before declaring for the NBA Draft.

The NBA loves multi-positional defenders, and that is exactly what Collin Murray-Boyles is. He can guard all but the biggest of big men and most wings. He can even hold his own against some guards. That switchability will be a vital part of his early success in the Association. Some NBA Draft analysts also believe Murray-Boyles’ defensive ability and instincts are tops in this year’s class.

Though he has room for improvement on offense (particularly with his jumper), Murray-Boyles is efficient near the basket and has a feel for passing that is rare for a post player. If he becomes a passable shooter and can maintain his efficiency in finishing against taller bigs, he could become an elite two-way player at the professional level, just as he was in college.

The NBA Summer League will begin on July 10th. Like most young players, Summer League is where Murray-Boyles is likely to make his debut.

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