Jan. 31, 2026, 5:41 p.m. ET

Toronto Raptors rookie Collin Murray-Boyles was commended by coach Darko Rajaković for earning a selection to the 2026 NBA Rising Stars Game in Inglewood, California.

Murray-Boyles was among 10 rookies invited to the annual showcase on Feb. 13, averaging 7.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 39 games. He is ninth among rookies in rebounding and is the only first-year player to haul in at least 15 rebounds in multiple games this season.

The ninth overall pick has started in his last 11 games in place of Jakob Poeltl, averaging 10.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.4 steals over that span. The team has been pleased with how he has stepped in and contributed at a high level.

“He does a really good job of running the floor,” Rajaković said on Friday. “He provides good spacing for us. He is learning how to play those spots because that was not a style he played in college. He is a very fierce competitor, and through that, he is earning minutes and respect from his teammates and coaches in the whole league. I think that allows him all of those minutes that he is getting because of the huge effort he is putting in.”

Murray-Boyles recently missed four games due to a left thumb contusion sustained on Jan. 18. He recorded 12 points, six rebounds, three steals and one block on Friday in a loss to the Orlando Magic in his second game back in the lineup.

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The 20-year-old has provided the team with solid offensive production while protecting the paint and getting deflections. He is also crashing the offensive glass at a high level, averaging 2.5 per game, which ranks second among rookies.

Murray-Boyles was highly touted out of South Carolina because of his defensive intensity, post presence and ability to make plays for others. He is showcasing himself nightly and has played an integral role for a team currently fourth in the Eastern Conference.

“It is very rewarding to see how, early in his career, he is taking advantage of all of those opportunities,” Rajaković said. “What really stands out is his ability to learn fast. He is going to fail and make mistakes, but how quickly he learns from that and improves is really great to see. He definitely deserved the Rising Stars selection.”