South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles a Hot NBA Draft Commodity as Teams Attempted to Trade Up to Select Him
In one of the most closely watched storylines of the 2025 NBA Draft, South Carolina standout Collin Murray-Boyles became one of the hottest commodities on the board, with multiple teams reportedly scrambling to trade up in hopes of securing the rising star. The 6-foot-7 forward, who delivered a breakout sophomore season with the Gamecocks, has emerged as a rare blend of physicality, finesse, and basketball IQ—making him one of the most coveted prospects in his class.
League sources say several franchises in the mid-to-late lottery range—including the Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, and Atlanta Hawks—engaged in aggressive talks with teams holding top-10 picks, all with the intent of selecting Murray-Boyles before he was off the board.
“His name was buzzing in every front office,” one NBA executive told The Athletic. “He was on almost every team’s short list, and the consensus was that he wouldn’t fall past 12. Teams were absolutely calling up trying to get him.”
That urgency is a testament to the massive leap Murray-Boyles made during his sophomore season at South Carolina. After showing flashes of promise as a freshman, the Columbia native returned with a vengeance in 2024–25, averaging 16.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game while anchoring a Gamecocks team that made a surprising run in the SEC and earned national respect.
Scouts were particularly impressed by his versatility on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Murray-Boyles has developed a reliable mid-range jumper, improved footwork in the post, and elite finishing ability around the rim. Defensively, his quick-twitch athleticism, high motor, and wingspan allow him to guard multiple positions—traits highly valued in today’s switch-heavy NBA.
“What you’re getting with Collin is a two-way player who’s already NBA-strong and coachable,” said one Eastern Conference scout. “He’s a plug-and-play guy with a ceiling that’s still rising.”
What makes Murray-Boyles even more appealing is his intangibles. Teammates and coaches routinely describe him as humble, hardworking, and fiercely competitive—qualities that fit the mold of a culture-setter at the next level.
While the team that ultimately selected him has not been officially announced at press time, the draft night atmosphere surrounding Murray-Boyles was electric. Cameras caught him embracing his family with emotion, and when asked about the interest he was generating among NBA teams, he stayed true to form: calm, grateful, and focused.
“I just want to go where I can grow, help a team win, and represent South Carolina the right way,” Murray-Boyles said. “This journey’s just getting started.”
For a player who wasn’t necessarily projected as a top pick coming out of high school, Collin Murray-Boyles’ meteoric rise to NBA Draft prominence is nothing short of remarkable. And if the intense effort by teams to move up is any indication, the league believes he’s only scratched the surface of what he can become.
One thing is clear—Collin Murray-Boyles is no longer flying under the radar. He’s officially on the NBA’s main stage.
