Collin Murray-Boyles joins the Toronto Raptors with an undefined role, but general manager Bobby Webster hinted at how the rookie can see minutes to begin the season.

Murray-Boyles was named to the All-SEC second team last season at South Carolina, averaging 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks. He was the first Gamecocks player since Jimmy Foster in 1983-84 to average at least 16 points and eight rebounds.

Advertisement

The ninth pick projects to initially have an uphill battle to carve out minutes, with Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram and Jonathan Mogbo ahead of him. However, Webster said Friday that he believes he has the potential to give the Raptors productive minutes on defense.

Very rarely do you see a rookie come in and impact the game in a positive way. I think the one area he can, and is probably the best way for rookies, is on the defensive end. He is incredibly disruptive defensively, and we’ve seen that here in September. You saw it in college and summer league. I think that probably would be the incentive for the coaches to put him in the game, but he has got a long way to go. … You’ll see on the defensive end is where he’ll really make his impact, and I think where he can play right away.

Murray-Boyles logged four appearances with the Raptors in summer league, averaging 10.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, two assists, 1.5 steals and one block on 57.1% shooting from the field. He scored in double figures twice, including a 20-point, nine-rebound effort on July 17.

The 6-foot-7 forward is highly touted because of his defensive intensity, post presence and ability to make plays for others. He also added a 3-point shot last season as a sophomore and should be able to develop into a solid floor spacer at the next level with additional reps.

Murray-Boyles is a player the Raptors were high on throughout the predraft process. They believe he can eventually impact games at a high level on both ends of the court and are eager to see him begin competing for playing time in training camp next week.

Advertisement

This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Raptors news: Bobby Webster hints at role for Collin Murray-Boyles