South Carolina basketball star named breakout candidate
On Tuesday evening, national college basketball analyst Andy Katz named South Carolina basketball star Collin Murray-Boyles one of his breakout candidates for the 2024-2025 season.
The Columbia native’s inclusion on Katz’s list marks yet another bit of offseason hype for the Gamecock forward. NBA mock drafts, offseason all-conference picks, and lists of showcase standouts all included the name Collin Murray-Boyles.
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Slotting in at No. 9 on Katz’s top-10 list, Murray-Boyles is one of four sophomores who made the cut. There’s a chance, though, that CMB could be the best second-year player of them all.
Despite a bout with mononucleosis causing him to miss some time in the preseason and most of the first month of the season, Murray-Boyles quickly got himself acclimated to the college game. It took just nine games for him to crack the starting lineup, and he posted 11 of his 13 double-digit scoring efforts after his move to the first five.
The athletic forward finished the year as, arguably, the best player on the team. At season’s end, he led USC in rebounds, blocks, and steals while also chipping in over 10 points per game. He also was the most efficient scorer (60% on field goals) in the rotation and a solid, switchable defender.
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Last year, Texas A&M head coach Buzz Williams called Murray-Boyles the league’s best freshman, even over Kentucky stars Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham. His defensive intensity and versatility paired well with his athletic and efficient offensive game. The young forward did his job(s) well and impacted the game in a variety of ways.
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As Lamont Paris and the South Carolina basketball team fight to make their first back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances since the 1990s, it likely will be the Gamecocks’ star sophomore who carries the biggest load.
Because of Murray-Boyles’ limitless potential, many, including his head coach, expect a big year out of No. 31. Playing fewer than 30 college games last year and missing out on some of his first offseason limited Murray-Boyles some, so, now with a complete offseason and some experience under his belt, a big step up is possible. An offseason of development (and, perhaps, an improved jump shot?) could see CMB make the leap to All-SEC status.
Former Gamecock Meechie Johnson made Katz’s list, ranking 3rd. The Gamecocks also will face off with the top two players on the list this season. Katz ranked Kentucky transfer senior Jaxson Robinson and Ole Miss senior guard Matthew Murrell first and second, respectively.
