Sam Venenie details what makes Collin Murray-Boyles a high-level NBA prospect

As the college basketball season hits the prime stretch, scouts will have extra eyes on upcoming NBA Draft prospects. Even players who are on teams projected to fall short of making the NCAA Tournament. Collin Murray-Boyles is one of those guys, playing for a heavily struggling South Carolina.

Through 13 games, South Carolina does not have a win against SEC opponents. Murray-Boyles is still performing well though and should be a lottery pick. The Athletic‘s Sam Venenie recently broke down why, having incredibly high praise for the defensive ability and intelligence.

“Just an unbelievable defensive playmaker,” Venenie said. “Unbelievable defender. Processes the game at such a high level, it’s obscene. Shooting 57% from the field this season. I don’t really buy him shooting threes yet. I don’t know that that’s going to be a thing but maybe it gets there.”

If there is one area to nitpick at Murray-Boyles, the inability to shoot the three is it. He has made just 28% from deep although, he averages just one attempt per game. The volume has been consistent throughout the season as three attempts against Virginia Tech is his season high.

NBA teams will be hoping the development continues and at some point, Murray-Boyles becomes a threat from three.

Almost everything else is a positive in his corner. The scoring is still there, averaging nearly 16 points per game while grabbing nine rebounds per game. Venenie points out how the advanced defensive numbers are incredible too.

South Carolina has just five games remaining in the regular season. A trip to Nashville for the SEC Tournament will be made but based on the year’s form, the Gamecocks might be a one-and-done. Unless there is a magical run to a championship, the college career will end there for Murray-Boyles.

From there, he will be off to the NBA. In his latest mock draft, On3’s James Fletcher does actually have Murray-Boyles outside of the lottery just barely. He goes No. 17 overall to the Dallas Mavericks behind a couple of international players from France.

There is still plenty of time in the process and Murray-Boyles can rise. Venenie sees the potential and believes teams will have an opportunity to fall in love with some of the defensive efforts while being efficient around the rim. A nice player out of South Carolina who is wrapping up his second season of college basketball with the Gamecocks.

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