Why Toronto Must Draft Collin Murray-Boyles

He’s the perfect blend of toughness, versatility, IQ, and defensive motor — Collin Murray-Boyles could be the next Raptor fan-favourite.

In just a couple of seasons, South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles evolved from a team contributor to a dominant force for the Gamecocks. After a solid freshman season in which he averaged 10.4 points and 5.7 rebounds, he returned as the cornerstone of the Gamecocks last season. The 6’8” forward put up 16.8 points, 8.3 boards, 2.4 dimes, and 2.8 steals while providing a solid two-way contribution.

Mock Draft Range

Best rank: 6 / Worst rank: 28

(Per Hoopshype’s Aggregate Mock Draft 7.0)

CMB’s Impact on South Carolina’s team

Statistically, it was a significant leap for Collin Murray-Boyles (CMB). Still, the biggest leap occurred when he became not just a breakout star for South Carolina but also the engine behind the Gamecocks’ offense and defense. CMB carried South Carolina through a difficult year (12-20 overall, 2-16 SEC), and perhaps, one of the few prospects in this draft that can say, “I did it all.”

CMB did most of the scoring, rebounding, defending, facilitating, and setting the tone while playing heavy minutes on a bad South Carolina team. His exceptional production and stabilizing influence highlight his IQ, maturity, versatility, mentality, and overall NBA potential.

CMB is mostly a mid-to-short-range operator; most of his shots in the half-court offense came with him making something happen from the elbow, short corner, low block, and dunker’s spot. He’s a dribble-pass-shoot triple-threat from these positions, but for the most part, he uses his crafty footwork, spin moves, strength, and soft touch to finish around the basket, especially through contact or against multiple defenders. CMB can also play the “roll man” or as the cutter from above the break, or at the very least, around the dunker’s spot. His FG% around the rim — approximately 74% is one of the best in the NCAA this past season among bigs, and this is a big deal because he was seeing double teams frequently and had to operate with limited spacing, as his teammates could not shoot.

CMB likes to facilitate at the elbow or short corner, and his 2.4 assists per game don’t justify how good his passing game is. He reads the floor well and is capable of making the right reads in hand-offs or hitting his teammates when they take the backdoor route. CMB will make quick, decisive actions on when to dribble/pass/shoot, and especially, how to counter the incoming double team.

You often don’t associate “effort” and “grit” with a young prospect, especially a 20-year-old prospect. CMB is a physical player; he embraces contact and won’t shy away from getting fouled, earning his points from the free throw line. CMB’s relentless energy on defense, his tenacity on the offensive end — especially generating second-chance points, and overall reliability make him one of the “can’t go wrong” prospects in this draft class.

Areas of Improvement for the future star

Despite being one of the most productive and efficient bigs at the NCAA level this past season, Collin Murray-Boyles has a few limitations that impact his draft stock and could potentially limit his effectiveness and role at the NBA level.

In today’s NBA, perimeter shooting has become a critical skill for the “bigs.” Just look at how Brook Lopez reinvented and prolonged his career as a floor-spacing center. Undersized bigs who can’t shoot are often limited to a bench role unless they have a top-tier skill set (i.e. Rudy Gobert). That said, he’ll need to improve his perimeter shooting (26.5% 3P%) to keep the defense honest and to encourage the coach to play him with a center who is a non-shooter.

CMB will likely have to play as a big wing at the NBA level (full-time PF, maybe a part-time SF), as he’s too small to be a center. While he’s functionally strong and quick, he’s not an explosive athlete (vertically and laterally) that many undersized bigs often possess. That could also present a problem, as he’ll likely have to defend explosive wings or switch against the shifty guard at the next level.

CMB will also need to work on his “face up bag,” as he won’t be able to post up as often as he’s used to in South Carolina. Post-ups are getting phased out on most coaches’ playbooks, so CMB will have to reinvent his game at the NBA level.

How CMB fits with the Toronto Raptors

Should the Raptors front office select Collin Murray-Boyles with their 9th pick, his energy, defensive versatility, toughness, IQ and maturity will make him a great addition to the team’s young bench. All of those qualities align with the franchise’s long-term direction and how coach Darko Rajakovic prefers his team to play on a nightly basis.

Coach Rajakovic’s defensive philosophy favours switch-heavy defensive schemes, especially from his guards, wings, and forwards. CMB should be switchable for at least three, if not four, positions on most nights. The Raptors coach also emphasizes connectivity on the defensive end, and CMB does a good job as a communicator as a defensive anchor for the Gamecocks. Overall, defensively, coach Rajakovic’s system suits smart, physical, and switchable defender like CMB. His length, mobility, defensive instincts, and strength should provide switchability, sound rotations, and a strong rebounding presence.

Offensively, coach Rajakovic’s system promotes ball and player movement, versatility, unselfishness, quick decision-making, and fluid reads. In a vacuum, CMB fits well with the Raptors’ offensive system. CMB thrives on cuts to the basket, rum runs, short-roll finishes, and being at the right place at the right time around the rim.

If there is such a comparison, CMB projects similarly to what the team thought they could achieve on the floor with Thaddeus Young. The post-Sixers Young has a similar midrange-to-short-range game with CMB, but Young is a much better and willing perimeter shooter. However, it’s their elbow, DHO, and short-roll playmaking game that solidifies the similarity. Their combination of strength, basketball IQ, and solid decision-making as a connector aligns with Coach Rajakovic’s concept of allowing non-ball handlers to be involved in setting the table and playmaking.

Overall, CMB should project as someone who can and will try to shoot his perimeter shots when the opportunity presents itself. He may already be an upgrade over Jonathan Mogbo, but he might not be as reliable as a bench contributor, unlike Jamison Battle, a player that we know will come in and space for the team. If anything, he can be a change-of-pace curveball that coach Rajakovic can use when things are in a rut, as CMB’s effort and energy will be a given every time he’s on the floor. He’s not flashy and doesn’t have the hype, but every team needs someone like CMB —a winning player who brings effort, intensity, feel, and intelligence to the table.