Former Gamecock Becomes First Raptor EVER to Achieve Legendary 5×5-esque Performance
Collin Murray-Boyles left South Carolina as one of the program’s most beloved players, known for his relentless work ethic, selfless play, and relationship with injured Gamecocks star Chloe Kitts. Now, he’s making NBA history with the Toronto Raptors in a way that perfectly reflects the culture he helped build in Columbia.
A Historic Performance
On Sunday night, Murray-Boyles etched his name into Raptors franchise history with a performance that left the basketball world stunned. The rookie forward became the first Raptor ever to record at least 17 points, 15 rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and three steals in a single game—a stat line so impressive it’s often referred to as a “5×5-esque” performance.
Even more remarkable? Murray-Boyles became just the first rookie since NBA legend David Robinson in 1990 to achieve such a comprehensive statistical masterpiece. Robinson, a Hall of Famer and one of the greatest players in basketball history, is now joined by the former Gamecock in this exclusive club.
The achievement showcases Murray-Boyles’ unique ability to impact every facet of the game—scoring, rebounding, playmaking, rim protection, and perimeter defense. It’s the kind of all-around excellence that makes scouts dream and coaches smile.
The South Carolina Work Ethic
When asked about his historic performance following the Raptors’ victory over the Atlanta Hawks, Murray-Boyles’ response was pure Gamecock mentality: “If you’re not tired, you aren’t going hard enough. I try to be as tired as possible.”
That relentless approach to the game is something Murray-Boyles refined during his time at South Carolina under head coach Lamont Paris. The mentality of leaving everything on the floor, of measuring success by exhaustion rather than statistics, is deeply rooted in the culture that defines South Carolina basketball.
But there’s an interesting twist to Murray-Boyles’ development. During his sophomore season with the Gamecocks, Paris repeatedly had to encourage him to be more aggressive and selfish with the ball. Murray-Boyles’ natural instinct was always to defer to teammates and do whatever helped the team win—even if it meant sacrificing his own numbers.
That selflessness has translated perfectly to the NBA, where Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic has praised Murray-Boyles for his team-first mentality.
A Coach’s Dream
Rajakovic’s assessment of Murray-Boyles reads like a love letter to everything South Carolina fans already knew about the forward:
“He plays hard. He’s not shying away from any type of contact; he’s another guy that only cares about how to help winning,” Rajakovic explained. “He’s not obsessed if he’s going to score or not. That’s why you see him in games with 17 points, and then you see him in games with four points.”
This adaptability—the ability to score 17 or four points without changing his approach or intensity—is exactly what made Murray-Boyles so valuable at South Carolina. He understood that winning required different things on different nights, and he was willing to fill whatever role the team needed.
The Chloe Kitts Connection
Murray-Boyles’ success takes on additional emotional weight given his relationship with Chloe Kitts, the South Carolina women’s basketball star who is sidelined for the season with a torn ACL. Kitts, who has remained deeply involved with the Gamecocks as a player-coach despite her injury, has been a constant presence and supporter throughout Murray-Boyles’ NBA journey.
The couple represents the best of South Carolina basketball—two players who embodied selflessness, work ethic, and team-first mentality during their time in Columbia. While Kitts works through her rehabilitation and continues to mentor her teammates from the sideline, Murray-Boyles is carrying those same values to the NBA stage.
From Gamecock to Record-Breaker
Murray-Boyles’ path from South Carolina to NBA history-maker is a testament to the development and culture fostered by the Gamecocks’ basketball programs. The work ethic, the team-first mentality, the willingness to do whatever it takes to win—these aren’t just talking points. They’re the foundation upon which careers are built.
South Carolina fans watched Murray-Boyles develop from a talented freshman into a sophomore who could dominate games in multiple ways. They saw him sacrifice personal statistics for team success. They witnessed his relentless motor and refusal to take plays off. And now, they’re watching those same qualities translate to the highest level of basketball.
The Bigger Picture
Murray-Boyles’ historic performance is more than just a great individual achievement—it’s validation of the culture and development at South Carolina. When programs talk about preparing players for the next level, this is exactly what they mean.
The fact that Murray-Boyles had to be told to be more selfish at South Carolina, only to thrive in the NBA with his selfless approach, speaks to the quality of coaching he received. Paris recognized that Murray-Boyles’ team-first mentality was an asset that needed to be balanced with assertiveness, not eliminated. That nuanced development has allowed Murray-Boyles to become exactly the type of player NBA teams covet—versatile, unselfish, and consistently impactful.
What’s Next?
As Murray-Boyles continues his rookie season with the Raptors, South Carolina fans will be watching with pride. Every hustle play, every selfless pass, every exhausting defensive effort will carry echoes of his time as a Gamecock.
And somewhere, whether watching from the South Carolina bench or from afar, Chloe Kitts is undoubtedly beaming with pride at what her boyfriend has accomplished. Just as she’s redefining what it means to contribute to a team from the sideline, Murray-Boyles is showing the NBA what South Carolina basketball is all about.
The Legacy Lives On
Collin Murray-Boyles’ name is now forever etched in Toronto Raptors history. But for those who watched him in Columbia, this historic performance is simply confirmation of what they already knew—he was always special, and he was always going to succeed at the next level.
From South Carolina to the NBA record books, Murray-Boyles is proving that the culture, work ethic, and selflessness developed in Columbia translates to excellence at every level. And he’s just getting started.
Historic Achievement Breakdown:
📊 First Raptor EVER: 17+ points, 15+ rebounds, 3+ assists, 3+ blocks, 3+ steals
🌟 First Rookie Since 1990: To achieve 5×5-esque stat line (David Robinson)
💪 The Gamecock Way: “If you’re not tired, you aren’t going hard enough”
❤️ Chloe Kitts Connection: Former Gamecocks power couple continues to inspire
Once a Gamecock, always a Gamecock—even when you’re making NBA history! 🐔🏀
