Collin Murray-Boyles has been drafted to the NBA, and Dawn Staley says a member of her staff, Khadijah Sessions, is to thank.
The Gamecocks men’s basketball team posted on X celebrating Murray-Boyles’ milestone after he was selected No. 9 over by the Toronto Raptors in Wednesday’s NBA draft.
“THE FIRST LOTTERY PICK IN PROGRAM HISTORY IS HEADED TO THE SIX. #Gamecocks🐔🏀 // #ForeverToThee,” the X post read.
THE FIRST LOTTERY PICK IN PROGRAM HISTORY IS HEADED TO THE SIX. 🤙#Gamecocks🐔🏀 // #ForeverToThee pic.twitter.com/izxYskzgsL
— Gamecock Men’s Basketball (@GamecockMBB) June 26, 2025
The South Carolina women’s basketball staff extended support to Murray-Boyles, who is dating fellow Gamecocks baller Chloe Kitts.
“My fav NBA PLAYER SORRY BRON 🤷🏽♀️😭,” assistant coach Khadijah Sessions wrote.
My fav NBA PLAYER SORRY BRON 🤷🏽♀️😭 https://t.co/nhmK9xrdIe
— Khadijah Sessions (@Ksessions_05) June 26, 2025
Staley quoted Sessions’ post and credited her with Murray-Boyles’ success.
“Congrats 2! Your work with CMB helped him cross the @NBA line!,” Staley said.
Congrats 2! Your work with CMB helped him cross the @NBA line! https://t.co/KiNYxIQ3Wh
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) June 26, 2025
Staley and Sessions have both had a close connection with the new Toronto forward. Sessions has worked with Murray-Boyles, and both she and Stalsy coach his girlfriend, Chole Kitts.
Kitts is coming off the best season of her college career. In her junior campaign, she led the Gamecocks in rebounding with 7.7 rpg. Her 10.2 points, 1.9 assists and 0.7 steals per game were all increases from her sophomore season.
The forward highlighted her shooting expertise by averaging 52.0%, including 33.3% from beyond the arc. Kitts also honed her free-throw shooting skills, knocking down 79.8%, up from 68.9% as a sophomore. Sessions has helped both Kitts and Murray-Boyles, and her work with Murray-Boyles paid off in the NBA draft.
What Collin Murray-Boyles offers the Toronto Raptors
Collin Murray-Boyles was a dominant force at South Carolina this season. The sophomore forward started in every game and led the Gamecocks in points (16.8 ppg), rebounds (8.3 rpg), steals (1.5 spg) and blocks (1.3 bpg).
Like his girlfriend, Chloe Kitts, he is a sharp shooter, averaging 58.6%, including 26.5% from beyond the arc.
At 6’7”, Murray-Boyles is a bit undersized for a power forward, but he makes up for this lack of size with his physicality and feel for the game. He is a productive player who is known for his toughness, and he has a high ceiling at the professional level. He will look to develop into a dominant forward for the Raptors.
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