Collin Murray-Boyles, a former South Carolina All-SEC forward, is making a name for himself in the NBA.
Murray-Boyles was one of ten rookies selected to play in the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars game by the NBA. The annual showcase of premier young talent will be played on Friday, Feb 13 at the LA Clippers’ Intuit Dome. Featuring a mini-tournament with four teams and three games spotlighting the league’s top rookies and second-year standouts, all part of NBA All-Star 2026.
Murray-Boyles has played in 37 games (17 starts) for the Toronto Raptors so far this season and averaged 7.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. Amongst NBA rookies, he ranks 14th in points, ninth in rebounds, 16th in assists, eighth in steals and seventh in blocks per game. Murray-Boyles is shooting 53.6% (119-of-222) from the field, including 34.9% (15-of-43) from 3 from three-point range, with three double-doubles. His field goal percentage amongst rookies is 8th in the NBA.
Murray-Boyles is a native of Columbia, and made history over the summer after being selected ninth overall by the Raptors in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. He became the first Gamecock selected in the first round of the NBA Draft since Renaldo Balkman was picked No. 20 overall by the New York Knicks in 2006. Murray-Boyles also became the first South Carolina player selected in the lottery (top-14 selection) in the modern NBA Draft format (started in 1985).
Murray-Boyles’ final season with the Gamecocks in 2024-25 was superior, as he averaged 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. He started all 32 games and had a career-best 11, 20-point games and nine double-doubles en route to earning Second Team All-SEC honors and First Team NABC All-South Atlantic District distinction. He led the team in points (538), rebounds (264), steals (47) and blocks (43) and was second in assists (77). Murray-Boyles was the first Gamecock since Jimmy Foster in 1983-84 (18.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg) to average at least 16.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.
Naismith Hall of Famers Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady will serve as honorary coaches for the Castrol Rising Stars mini tournament. Austin Rivers will coach the G League Rising Stars team.
NBA assistant coaches determined the pool of 21 NBA players, with each team submitting one ballot. Voters ranked 10 rookies and 10 sophomores, with more points assigned to higher placements. The top 10 rookies and top 10 sophomores by point total earned spots. The final spot was awarded to the higher-scoring player among the 11th-ranked finishers in each class. The pool includes one more sophomore than rookie based on total points received.