USC’s Collin Murray-Boyles already getting NBA player comparisons in sophomore season
The NBA comparisons are coming in for Collin Murray, even as a sophomore.
During South Carolina’s win over Virginia Tech on Nov. 27, FS1 commentators Jeff Levering and Donny Marshall began throwing out players who Murray-Boyles reminds them of in the professional ranks. Zach Randolph and Julius Randle were two names immediately mentioned.
Analyst Marshall brought Randle into the conversation as Murray-Boyles stood at the top of the key as USC ran one of its plays. That was not long after he had already mentioned Randolph.
Play-by-play announcer Levering added that it’s not just because Murray-Boyles is left-handed like them.
Randolph averaged 16.6 points and 9.1 rebounds across his 17-year NBA career before retiring after the 2017-18 season. Randle is in his 11th season, now with the Timberwolves after stints with the Lakers and Knicks, and averaging 19.1 points and 9.3 rebounds in his career.
Both are known for their ability to score and facilitate from the interior, using strength and savvy to impact the game offensively. They also have motors for rebounding and are known for being a walking double-double. Randle has 274 in his career, and Randolph finished with 488.
Murray-Boyles has already shown shades of those traits early in his Gamecocks career. He’s proven capable and comfortable with the USC offense running through him as the No. 1 option.
“He has such a veteran game — baby face, but a grown man’s game,” Marshall said.
Curt Wheeler, who was Murray-Boyles’ AAU coach, said he also sees the comparisons for the same reasons. But he says Murray-Boyles’ playmaking ability is what sets him apart. He “can get a defensive rebound and lead the break,” Wheeler said.
Murray-Boyles can also create for his teammates in the halfcourt, which is exactly what USC head coach Lamont Paris was looking for from him this season. Wheeler said these qualities have always been in his game, but Murray-Boyles getting in shape was the biggest improvement.
Others also see the similarities. Bleacher Report’s most recent NBA Mock Draft lists Randle as Murray-Boyles’ pro comparison.
Murray-Boyles leads the Gamecocks in points (15.8) rebounds (9.4), steals (1.4) and blocks (1.1) and has continued to put his name into NBA Draft conversations. Those talks began last year with his emergence on the national scene as a freshman USC. And the sentiments have only gotten louder since.
Murray-Boyles has been touted as a potential first-round draft pick in 2025, should he choose to declare at the end of the season. Some mock draft projections have him going as high as No. 12 overall.
In today’s game where positionless basketball reigns supreme, a player like Murray-Boyles who can make an impact on both ends of the court has extreme value — which explains the draft hype for the sophomore. The biggest area of growth for him will be to continue to develop his outside shot. He’s already taken a step this season, and is shooting 3-of-8 (37.5%) from deep .
If drafted, it wouldn’t be the first time USC has produced NBA level talent from its big men. Former Gamecocks PJ Dozier and GG Jackson both have carved out roles at the next level after impressive stints in college.
Next four games
- Saturday vs. USC Upstate, 2 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
- Dec. 17 vs. Clemson, 7 p.m. (SEC Network)
- Dec. 22 vs. Radford, 2 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
- Dec 30 vs. Presbyterian, 7 p.m. (SEC Network)
This story was originally published December 11, 2024 at 9:45 AM.
