After being selected No. 9 overall by the Toronto Raptors, forward Collin Murray-Boyles is getting significant attention, especially from the South Carolina community. But he’s not the only one in the spotlight.
His girlfriend, fellow Gamecock Chloe Kitts, was also present at the 2025 NBA Draft event. Their touching viral moment, along with Murray-Boyles’ heartfelt post-draft confession about his feelings for Kitts, has left the basketball community emotional and inspired.
Collin Murray-Boyles’ Emotional Draft Night and Girlfriend’s Steadfast Support
Right after hearing his name called by the Raptors, Murray-Boyles shook his head in disbelief. A moment later, he said the f-word on live television. That raw reaction was caught on camera and instantly went viral across social media platforms.
Many fans wondered why he reacted that way, but Murray-Boyles explained that it was all pure emotion. He simply couldn’t believe his lifelong dream was coming true — a common sentiment among athletes reaching such a pivotal career milestone.
Amid all the excitement, he made sure to acknowledge his girlfriend. Cameras captured Kitts visibly emotional as the two shared a heartfelt hug after the announcement. It was a poignant display of support that touched everyone watching.
Collin Murray-Boyles’ girlfriend, Chloe Kitts, is a college women’s basketball star and top prospect in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
They met while both playing at South Carolina, and Kitts was there in person as Murray-Boyles was drafted to the Toronto Raptors 👏 pic.twitter.com/W5Q4x6OhX
– THE SHIFT (@theshift_sports) June 26, 2025
Then, Murray-Boyles openly discussed their relationship and the consistent support Kitts has provided him throughout his basketball journey.
“She’s amazing for me,” Murray-Boyles said. “She knows the sacrifices that this comes with, of being a basketball player, especially a professional basketball player. So she understands that, and she fully embraces it. She never takes anything for granted, never takes my time for granted. I never take her for granted … She’s been really good for me.”
Since going public with their relationship in April 2024, the couple has become one of college basketball’s most admired pairs. Kitts, a 6-foot-2 forward, played a crucial role in South Carolina’s undefeated 2023–24 season, which culminated in a national championship run.
During the 2024–25 season, Kitts averaged 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game for the Gamecocks, showcasing her significant contribution to the team’s success. She is also projected as a top prospect for the 2026 WNBA Draft.
South Carolina Community Embraces Murray-Boyles and Kitts’ Journey
The 20-year-old Murray-Boyles said he also draws inspiration from Kitts’ game and from her coach, Dawn Staley. This mutual respect highlights the strong bond within the South Carolina basketball programs.
“Obviously, she plays on the women’s team,” he said. “How they play is something that I like to watch. How fast they go is almost relatable to how fast the NBA goes and how fast-paced it is. I watch Dawn Staley a lot and see what she does, and that will be what it is for me at the next level.”
It was mutual admiration. Coach Staley herself joined later in the celebration, tweeting, “Congrats @GamecockMBB @boyles_murray! And @GamecockWBB @chloe1kitts 🥰🥰🥰. Now sneaking out of town means you’ll be sneaking out of the country.”
Congrats @GamecockMBB @boyles_murray! And @GamecockWBB @chloe1kitts 🥰🥰🥰. Now sneaking out of town means you’ll be sneaking out of the country😩😩😩🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/0OjhHvELTL
– dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) June 26, 2025
Not surprisingly, the South Carolina community is fully embracing this significant moment for both athletes. With Murray-Boyles’ emotional confession, the initial loud cheers and mad-level excitement have perhaps softened into a peaceful and respectful kind of joy.
While the immediate cheers may have become more subdued, the collective pride and excitement within the community remain as powerful as ever for these two rising basketball stars.
