Image Source: X
[Saba Sports News] The first round of Wednesday’s NBA Draft was a joyous occasion for most prospects, as their lifelong dream of reaching the NBA came true.
But for Collin Murray-Boyles, the moment seemed to come with a hint of frustration.
Drafted No. 9 overall by the Toronto Raptors, Murray-Boyles didn’t appear thrilled. Cameras caught him looking down, shaking his head, and even dropping an F-bomb shortly after hearing his name called.
Was Toronto not his preferred destination? The Raptors finished 30-52 last season and are in the midst of a rebuild, having had just one winning season in the past five years.
It’s possible Murray-Boyles had hopes of landing with a more competitive franchise—or perhaps he had heard some of the recent criticisms from former players like Pascal Siakam.
Still, it’s not an ideal look to see a draftee react that way, though the Raptors didn’t seem concerned. The team posted on X to clarify the situation, and Murray-Boyles also addressed the reaction when speaking with the media.
“What I said was not a bad thing,” he explained. “Just very thankful for it. That was a very surreal moment.”
Murray-Boyles, who averaged 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game as a sophomore at South Carolina, enters the NBA with high expectations. His girlfriend, South Carolina star Chloe Kitts, also drew attention at the draft, becoming a viral moment in her own right.