As the 2025 NBA Draft nears, South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles has become one of the most interesting talents in this year’s class. The 6’7″ forward from Columbia gets much notice from NBA scouts and is compared to many high-profile NBA stars.
The combination of his ingenious tactics, defensive capacity, and physicality has made him a prospective lottery pick, and he has secured an invitation to the draft’s green room.
Collin Murray-Boyles’ Path Mirrors Draymond Green’s College Excellence
Murray-Boyles has often been likened to Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green, and not without reason. The bowling forwards have similar natures, as both lack height but make up for these deficiencies with excellent basketball IQ and a rich defensive skill set.
Collin Murray-Boyles has a chance to be an NBA All-Defensive Team type of player.
An elite off-ball defender that has high defensive IQ, great awareness, impressive instincts and overall a great understanding on positioning.
On the ball he can defend multiple positions, very… pic.twitter.com/3NlbxwJbYB
— Global Scouting (@GlobalScouting_) May 21, 2025
Green, who ended his college career with Michigan State as the NABC National Player of the Year and the all-time leader in the school’s rebounding charts, is Murray-Boyles’ counterpart, as he has grown as a player during his college journey.
Green tallied averages of 16.2 points and 10.6 rebounds in his last season at Michigan State, while also leading the Spartans to a Big Ten tournament championship as a senior.
During the time he was a sophomore, Murray-Boyles had a comparable effect on the court when his points and rebounds per game were 16.8 and 8.3, respectively, resulting in him being named second-team All-SEC. Both players excel at switching defensively across multiple positions, from point guards to centers.
“His unique skill set at 6’8″ draws some comparisons in NBA circles to Draymond Green due to his versatility, competitiveness, and aggressiveness,” ESPN reported when Murray-Boyles declared for the draft.
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The comparison extends beyond statistics to their impact on winning, with one scout telling CHSN that Murray-Boyles is “the best defensive prospect in this year’s draft.”
Murray-Boyles has embraced his role as a do-everything player.
“When people who know basketball watch me play, it’s the smaller things that stand out,” he said. “I’m not one to get oohs and aahs, but I know what it takes to win games and positively impact a team. I hang my hat on how hard I play and my unselfishness. I love to play defense.”
With the NBA Draft just days away, Murray-Boyles is projected to be selected between picks No. 8 and No. 15, potentially making him South Carolina’s first first-round pick since 2006.
Like Green, who was drafted No. 35 overall but became a four-time champion, Murray-Boyles’ basketball IQ and defensive versatility could translate to immediate NBA impact.
