The Toronto Raptors could add to their frontcourt with a defensive-minded prospect in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft. With the ninth pick, mock drafts are increasingly connecting South Carolina sophomore Collin Murray-Boyles to the franchise.
His physicality, defensive versatility, and alignment align with the team’s established identity, making him an ideal target despite potential spacing concerns.
Collin Murray-Boyles to Land with Toronto at No. 9?
According to ESPN’s latest mock draft analysis, the Raptors are projected to select South Carolina forward Collin Murray-Boyles with the ninth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The mock draft highlights Murray-Boyles as an ideal cultural fit for Toronto’s identity.
Known as one of the most physical and versatile defenders in college basketball, Collin Murray-Boyles was an offensive hub for South Carolina this season, demonstrating strong playmaking ability, unselfishness, and overall feel for the game. https://t.co/Tgd6UMOYEt pic.twitter.com/SaaLEk02nI
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 15, 2025
“The Raptors could go in many directions with this pick, with young, multipositional players scattered throughout the roster, and plenty of options with the many players they’ve assembled via the draft and trades in recent years,” ESPN’s mock draft states.
“Murray-Boyles would fit in from a culture and toughness standpoint, adding more defensive versatility and playmaking, even if his lack of perimeter shooting isn’t ideal as a potential floor-spacer for Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram.”
The analysis further notes that Toronto’s draft position may influence their strategy. “Picking ninth in what many NBA insiders consider a draft in which the top tier consists of eight players, a best-player-available strategy makes sense for Toronto, a plan this front office has followed in the past.”
Despite potential concerns about his fit alongside the team’s current core pieces, Murray-Boyles brings considerable value. “Murray-Boyles’ unique blend of passing, foul drawing, finishing prowess and defensive playmaking has him rated as a potential top-5 pick in some NBA team analytics models, especially because he doesn’t turn 20 until mid-June.”
Combine Performance and Potential Team Fit
Murray-Boyles showcased impressive sophomore season statistics at South Carolina, averaging 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting an efficient 58.6% from the field.
His two-way production made him the only Power Five conference player to average at least 16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block while maintaining above 50% shooting.
At the NBA Draft Combine, Murray-Boyles measured 6’6.5″ without shoes while weighing 239.2 pounds, with a 7’0.75″ wingspan helping compensate for his slightly undersized height for a traditional power forward. His combine athletic testing confirmed his functional athleticism, with a lane agility time of 11.21 seconds and 34.5-inch maximum vertical leap.
The potential pairing with the current Raptors creates an interesting dynamic.
While Murray-Boyles would reinforce Toronto’s defensive identity with his versatility and high motor, his shooting limitations (just 9-for-39 from 3-point range in college) could create spacing challenges alongside Scottie Barnes, who also thrives inside the arc as a playmaker rather than as a floor spacer.
For a Raptors organization that has built its identity around defensive intensity and playmaking, Murray-Boyles represents their typical draft target. Though shooting concerns exist, Toronto’s development staff has successfully improved this aspect of players’ games in the past.
If Murray-Boyles can develop a reliable jumper, his ceiling as a two-way connector would perfectly complement the current core. Analytics models already suggest he delivers first-tier value despite being projected outside consensus top-eight picks, potentially making him one of the draft’s best value selections at ninth overall.
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The Raptors face an intriguing decision with alternatives available, including CSN’s mock draft projecting Duke forward Kon Knueppel at ninth overall. Toronto’s front office must now weigh the value of Murray-Boyles’ defensive impact against their roster’s spacing concerns as they determine which prospect best serves their competitive timeline.
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