SNAPSHOT

An excellent defender who can guard one through five and anchor a team on that side of the ball, Collin Murray-Boyles will appeal to teams inside the top 10 for his defensive presence and rebounding impact, with the potential to increase his offensive output in the coming years.

With the ability to lock down every position, switch constantly and cause turnovers at a consistent rate, Murray-Boyles will certainly add plenty to any team looking to boost their defensive stocks with their first pick at the 2025 NBA Draft.

DRAFT PROFILE

After growing up in South Carolina, Murray-Boyles transferred to Watsch Academy in Utah, which is where he truly began to make a name for himself. It was an inspired move for the big man, who became a star and the leading scoring option for his team as well as the premier rebounding presence.

He was a consensus four-star recruit and was named one of the top 100 players in the country for his efforts in Utah, with the move proving defining for his career. With the NCAA offers coming in hot, Murray-Boyles opted to take his talents back to South Carolina.

Playing for the Gamecocks, his time in the collegiate system got off to a slow start after Glandular Fever sidelined him for the opening stages of the season. However, it took him no time at all to find his feet, and he was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team for his campaign.

On the season, Murray-Boyles averaged 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 58.6 per cent from the field, 26.5 per cent from behind the arc and 70.7 per cent from the charity stripe.

While playing at South Carolina, Murray-Boyles showed his ability to anchor a defence, making plays to disrupt the opposition as much as possible, as well as crashing the glass and maintaining his positioning under the basket. His interior offence proved a winning strategy too, allowing him to have an impact on both sides of the ball.

STRENGTHS

+ Defensive versatility
+ Defensive IQ
+ Rebounding
+ Inside scoring

IMPROVEMENTS

- Shooting
- Undersized for his position

In terms of defensive impact, there are not many better in this facet of the game than Murray-Boyles, who was a central figure on this side of the Gamecocks. His ability to switch onto any position is remarkable, and he should be considered one of the best defenders available in the draft throughout the past five years.

His ability to read the play and cut off opposition plays catches the eye as well, making the right decision with his positioning and timing. There is no doubt he makes his team far better defensively whenever he is on the floor, and will be likely to continue that trend when he hits the NBA.

As a rebounder, Murray-Boyles is relentless, and often gets first hands to the ball despite not being the tallest player on the floor. He loves to get physical in the paint, often grabbing contested boards and can pull them down on both ends of the court.

In terms of improvements, he could certainly do with adding some perimeter shooting to his game. Teams felt comfortable leaving him open around the arc, which restricts his team's offensive options. Murray-Boyles is also a tad undersized for a frontcourt player, standing only six-foot-seven, although his smarts and skill make up for this.

DRAFT PROJECTION: Top 10

Murray-Boyles is the best all-around defender in the 2025 NBA Draft class, and is one of the best to enter the competition in some years. If he can make the most of his offensive game and continue to impact the game defensively as well as he does, he will be a great player for years to come.