'He has tremendous natural touch': Paris says CMB still has room to grow before next level
Since his first start for the Gamecocks, sophomore Collin Murray-Boyles has stood out for his level of talent and skill. Murray-Boyles averaged 10.4 points per game last season, playing in 28 contests.
As a player, Murray-Boyles has skills beyond his years. Even as a freshman, he made a big impact on the court for the Gamecocks in 2024. Now, he’s doing the same, if not more in his second season.
“He has tremendous natural touch,” head coach Lamont Paris said during Carolina Calls. “And if you watch his game, you see that in some of these, he’s more of a difficult finish maker than an easy shot generator.”
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Murray-Boyles stands out from the rest for his maturity in shot decisions and his ability to make difficult shots.
“Some guys, they’re just really good,” Paris said. “They generate easy shots. They make those things. He doesn’t generate as many easy shots, but he has such tremendous touch that he finishes a lot of these things. So, because of his good touch, I think his ability to extend his range certainly is there. Without a doubt, I have full confidence in that.”
Improvements, whether it be for another season in Garnet and Black or playing at the next level, are still crucial for players, even at his skill level. Paris wants to see Murray-Boyles grow in his confidence.
“Just getting real confidence in attacking and playing off the dribble, bringing the ball up in transition off of an offensive rebound, which he does sometimes for us,” Paris said. “But on an empty side, just generating offense off the dribble, catching in a face up scenario, and just attacking guys off the dribble and making plays.”
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The well-roundedness of Murray-Boyles’s abilities is a tremendous asset to the Gamecocks. He’s averaging 16.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game this season.
“His palette is so expansive,” Paris said. “There just aren’t too many things in the game of basketball that you say, ‘I wonder if at one point, Collin could do this in his career?’ And you look and say, ‘I doubt it.’ There just aren’t too many things in the entire game of basketball with enough time that you feel like I just don’t see him being able to add this aspect to his game.”
But there is still room to grow despite his talent. Paris believes Murray-Boyles still has more potential to reach.
“He’s a young guy,” Paris said. “That’s why I’ve continually talked about his ceiling and how incredibly high his ceiling is.”
