Latest news with #Murray-Boyles


USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
5 trade down options for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2025 NBA draft
5 trade down options for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2025 NBA draft The Philadelphia 76ers hold the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA draft which is an important tool to helping them bounce back from a miserable 2024-25 season in which nothing went right for them. They were expected to contend for a title, but were ravaged by injuries that destroyed any chances at winning. With the No. 3 pick, the Sixers can make a selection or they can trade down in the draft. The Brooklyn Nets, for example, could be a trade partner as they hold the No. 8 pick and they can offer up a win-now player such as Cam Johnson, again, just as an example, for the No. 3 pick. Should the Sixers trade down, there will be plenty of options for them to choose from. Here are five options should they trade down to the 6-7-8 range: Kon Knueppel, Duke Knueppel could be a sneaky option for the No. 3 pick even for the Sixers, but he is more of a trade down option for Philadelphia. If the Sixers are thinking spacing and elite shooting, then Knueppel should be their guy. He has a high basketball IQ being able to navigate off screens to get himself open for looks, he competes on the defensive end, and he is an underrated playmaker. There are limitations so he may not grade out as a starter in some cases, but he is for sure a rotation player in this league due to the shooting ability. Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma If the Sixers are thinking they need another ball-handler, Fears should be their man. He is a solid point guard with scoring chops as he averaged 17.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in the 2024-25 season for the Sooners. The knock on him is his 3-point shooting as he shot only 28.4% from deep on 3.9 attempts, but there is a lot of upside there. He is an aggressive driver who can get to the basket and finish up and around taller defenders. Should Philadelphia trade down, Fears should be near the top of the board. Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina Murray-Boyles is a big draft riser due to his length and versatility on the defensive end. He averaged 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 58.6% from the floor. One has to believe those defensive skills and his agility on that end of the floor will translate to the next level as he can be in a team's rotation right away due to his perimeter defense. When considering the Sixers will need to defend some of the better perimeter players in the East, then Murray-Boyles would be a great option. Derik Queen, Maryland Should the Sixers trade down, Queen should be another great option. He is nimble on the offensive end, skilled enough to make things happen with the ball in his hands, and is a ferocious rebounder. He averaged 16.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting 52.6% from the floor for the Terrapins in 2024-25 and made some big plays in the NCAA Tournament. He has a knack for being in the right spots at the right time and his guts to make the big shots with the game on the line. Khaman Maluach, Duke Maluach could be an option for the No. 3 pick, but that would probably be a bit of a reach. The 7-foot tall big man is a bit raw offensively as he limited to putbacks and lob dunks off the pick-and-roll. While he does have soft hands to make all of this work on the offensive end, the Sixers would need him to add some type of jumper to his game. Philadelphia needs versatility out of its big men and Maluach would have to add to his game in order to stick. Either way, he'll be worth the pick in the six, seven, or eight range in this draft.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 NBA Draft scouting report: Collin Murray-Boyles, F, South Carolina
Summary: Murray-Boyles operates like a defensive savant the way he locks down every position, uses his ninja-quick hands to swipe at the ball, and inhales rebounds. He's a special defensive presence, and offensively he's a bulldozer finisher with a playmaking feel. Improving his jumper would move him out of tweener territory and into All-Star status. Comparisons: Draymond Green, Paul Millsap, Julius Randle Versatile defense: One of the best defenders to enter the draft in recent years. While he's not the most vertical athlete, few players possess his blend of intellect, strength, hustle, foot speed, length, and coordination. He has a thick, big-bodied frame with a long wingspan well over 7 feet that he uses to smother opponents across positions as a highly switchable defender. Hand-eye coordination: With amazingly quick hands and reaction time, he seems to get a finger on the ball every time an opponent drives, ruining their rhythm or forcing a turnover. He also has immaculate timing for contesting shots at the rim, with a tendency to swat layups away as if he's spiking a volleyball. High defensive IQ: On top of the highlight moments, he has a strong feel for snuffing out opponent actions with positioning, steals, and deflections. His team is better any time he's in the game: South Carolina was 12.1 points per 100 possessions better on defense with Murray-Boyles on the floor, which CBB Analytics data logs as one of the largest differentials in the nation. Rebounding: Tenacious on the boards using his strength, and a nose for the ball to grab contested rebounds, both on the offensive and defensive glass. Post playmaking hub: Displays the feel to make good decisions and accurate passes from all areas and angles on the floor, whether from down low, at the elbows, or in the middle of the floor against zone. As a willing screener, he would make for a great short-roll playmaker in the NBA, especially if he's paired with a dynamic guard. Interior scoring: With brute strength to muscle through defenders, he also displays smooth footwork and the aptitude to contort himself for skilled finishes. He has soft touch on his hook shots and layups. He could also be used to beat mismatches from the post. But he'll primarily play off others, rolling off screens, cutting when he sees an opening, and attacking the glass for second chances. Shooting: Currently a liability from outside, and he wasn't a good shooter in high school, either. So, it's purely a bet on touch that he figures out that part of his game because the results have not come yet from the field or from the line. Tweener size: Fit will matter significantly since he is not especially tall or explosive, and hasn't proven he can shoot. And this matters on defense, since he isn't large enough to be a full-time defender against bigs and isn't a traditional rim protector.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Chloe Kitts and Collin Murray-Boyles Relationship: All About the South Carolina Gamecocks Stars' Romance (Including Their Viral TikTok Moments!)
Chloe Kitts and Collin Murray-Boyles are proving to be a powerhouse couple in the world of college basketball. Kitts, a key player for the South Carolina Gamecocks, played an instrumental role in their undefeated 2023-2024 championship season. She also won gold medals with the 2023 FIBA U19 World Cup Team and the 2022 FIBA U18 AmeriCup squad. On the men's side, Murray-Boyles was an instant contributor as a rookie for the Gamecocks, making the SEC All-Freshman Team and guiding his team to its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2017. While their on-court performances have captivated fans, their relationship off the court is equally compelling. Kitts is Murray-Boyles' biggest supporter, frequently hyping him up on social media and celebrating his successes, while he has reciprocated her energy with a sweet shout-out on National Girlfriend Day. Though they keep much of their romance private, their public moments — like Kitts' viral 'That's my man' moment — have only added to their growing reputation as college basketball's latest dynamic duo. From their TikTok dance trends to their mutual support of each other, here's a look at Chloe Kitts and Collin Murray-Boyles' relationship. After months of speculation about the nature of their relationship, the couple confirmed they were dating in April 2024. Kitts posted a clip on her Instagram Stories featuring herself and Murray-Boyles as they headed to the South Carolina Gamecocks annual gala. The athletic pair were all smiles in a car as they made their way to the ceremony. "My love," Kitts captioned the video and tagged the power forward. Shortly after, they dished on their respective outfits while on the red carpet, admiring each other's looks. '[I] just got this for the team,' Murray-Boyles explained. 'It's just a simple grey outfit, you know, nothing too popping.' 'My dress is from the mall, and we have matching chains,' added Kitts. 'Looks fantastic, by the way,' Murray-Boyles chimed in. 'You look great,' Kitts said, returning the compliment. 'I have the best-looking date here.' Kitts isn't shy about supporting Murray-Boyles and enjoys voicing that she's her boyfriend's biggest fan. After a thrilling 68-65 win against Ole Miss, where Murray-Boyles put up an impressive 16 points, a viral video captured Kitts proudly declaring, 'That's my man." She's also cheered him on via social media. In February 2024, the school posted a video montage of the game on Instagram and Kitts commented, "all eyes on you 30." The following month, she referred to Murray-Boyles as "my fav hooper" in another post. In addition, Murray-Boyles often drops sweet comments on Kitts' Instagram. When she shared pictures of herself during games in December 2024, he wrote, "My ❤️." He's also been spotted on the sidelines checking in on her. Kitts and Murray-Boyles toasted their one-year dating anniversary on Dec. 26, 2024. The twosome marked the special occasion in New York City, where they took late-night strolls and did TikTok couples challenges in their plush hotel room. In one clip, Kitts serenaded her beau with Eva's "Surrender" while he tied his laces. They capped off the getaway with a kiss and a cake with a sparkler. Kitts and Murray-Boyles share several basketball-related commonalities that highlight their compatibility on and off the court. Both are integral players for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. Each plays forward on their teams, bringing versatility and a strong rebounding presence to their respective squads. Notably, both were impactful during the 2023-2024 season. Kitts earned recognition for her performance, playing a critical role in helping the Gamecocks become the fifth program in NCAA history to go undefeated and win a National Championship with a program-record 38 wins. She also shined in key moments throughout the season, tying her career high with 21 points against Presbyterian College on a perfect 9-for-9 shooting night and making crucial plays in tight matchups, including an eight-point surge in the third quarter against Georgia to erase a halftime deficit. Murray-Boyles made an immediate impact in his freshman season, earning SEC All-Freshman Team honors. After missing time early in the season due to mononucleosis, he emerged as a key player in SEC play, helping lead South Carolina to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017 while tying a program record with 26 wins. Murray-Boyles commemorated National Girlfriend Day on Instagram Stories, highlighting Kitts. 'Happy National Gf Day. I love you,' he wrote, adding a fire heart emoji. The collage of photos showed Chloe asleep, the couple on the red carpet and the basketball court as well as the national champion on vacation. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arkansas nearly blows a 20-point lead before holding off No. 16 seed South Carolina in SEC opener
Trevon Brazile had 16 points, seven rebounds and four blocks, Johnell Davis scored six key points in the final 40 seconds and No. 9 seed Arkansas nearly blew a 20-point lead before holding off No. 16 seed South Carolina 72-68 on Wednesday to begin the SEC Tournament. Arkansas (20-12) will play a second-round game against No. 8 seed Ole Miss on Thursday. The then-13th ranked Rebels won the only regular-season meeting 73-66 on Jan. 8. Arkansas led by as many as 20 points early in the second half and it was 59-41 with 14:18 left. But the Razorback missed their next 12 shots over 11-plus minutes as South Carolina pulled within 61-60 following a 19-2 run that was capped by Collin Murray-Boyles' jumper from the free-throw line. D.J. Wagner finally ended Arkansas' field-goal drought with 2:37 left on a 3-pointer following an offensive rebound to make it 64-60, and Brazile added a tip-in shot on the next possession. Arkansas' first miss from the free-throw line in 14 attempts came with 14 seconds left and South Carolina quickly went the other way for a layup by Jacobi Wright to cut the deficit to 70-66. After a timeout, Arkansas turned it over near midcourt when Murray-Boyles jumped to deflect a pass and Cam Scott threw down a dunk with 3.2 left for a two-point game. Davis secured the inbounds pass and sealed it with two free throws at 2.5. Davis and Jonas Aidoo each scored 14 points for Arkansas. Wagner had 13 points and six assists. Murray-Boyles led South Carolina (12-20) with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Jamarii Thomas added 16 points and Wright had 13. Aidoo scored a game-high 14 points in the first half and Arkansas closed on an 11-0 run to build a 47-30 at the break. Arkansas avenged a 72-53 loss to South Carolina on March 1.


NBC Sports
12-03-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Arkansas nearly blows a 20-point lead before holding off No. 16 seed South Carolina in SEC opener
Trevon Brazile had 16 points, seven rebounds and four blocks, Johnell Davis scored six key points in the final 40 seconds and No. 9 seed Arkansas nearly blew a 20-point lead before holding off No. 16 seed South Carolina 72-68 on Wednesday to begin the SEC Tournament. Arkansas (20-12) will play a second-round game against No. 8 seed Ole Miss on Thursday. The then-13th ranked Rebels won the only regular-season meeting 73-66 on Jan. 8. Arkansas led by as many as 20 points early in the second half and it was 59-41 with 14:18 left. But the Razorback missed their next 12 shots over 11-plus minutes as South Carolina pulled within 61-60 following a 19-2 run that was capped by Collin Murray-Boyles' jumper from the free-throw line. D.J. Wagner finally ended Arkansas' field-goal drought with 2:37 left on a 3-pointer following an offensive rebound to make it 64-60, and Brazile added a tip-in shot on the next possession. Arkansas' first miss from the free-throw line in 14 attempts came with 14 seconds left and South Carolina quickly went the other way for a layup by Jacobi Wright to cut the deficit to 70-66. After a timeout, Arkansas turned it over near midcourt when Murray-Boyles jumped to deflect a pass and Cam Scott threw down a dunk with 3.2 left for a two-point game. Davis secured the inbounds pass and sealed it with two free throws at 2.5. Davis and Jonas Aidoo each scored 14 points for Arkansas. Wagner had 13 points and six assists. Murray-Boyles led South Carolina (12-20) with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Jamarii Thomas added 16 points and Wright had 13. Aidoo scored a game-high 14 points in the first half and Arkansas closed on an 11-0 run to build a 47-30 at the break. Arkansas avenged a 72-53 loss to South Carolina on March 1.