Collin Murray-Boyles' Previous Raptors Comments Surface During NBA Draft

The Toronto Raptors have missed the NBA playoffs three straight years. Having won just a single postseason round since being crowned champions in 2019, Toronto has been in a rebuild that may finally be pivoting toward playoff contention this upcoming season.

Making a trade deadline move last season to acquire one-time All-Star forward Brandon Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans, and then subsequently extending him, the Raptors signified their intent to compete next season. This is one of the reasons why their No. 9 overall pick was so heavily involved in trade rumors leading up to the 2025 NBA Draft.

Toronto Raptors Vice-Chairman and Team President Masai Ujiri.

© John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Not dealing that pick, Toronto selected Collin Murray-Boyles out of South Carolina. Minutes after the selection, his pre-draft comments on the Raptors surfaced.

“They have a lot of good scorers, they have Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, the list goes on,” he said one day before joining the Raptors (via Libaan Osman of the Toronto Star). “They have guys. I feel like I can be somebody that can come in and be a handyman, do that dirty work.”

While these were positive remarks, many took notice of his reaction to the pick, seemingly offering an expletive after it was made.

It is worth noting that while this moment is going viral, it is not confirmed that Murray-Boyles said what many are interpreting. Additionally, even if he did, it may have not have been out of frustration.

Regardless of how Murray-Boyles feels, he is going to the Raptors who hope to make a playoff appearance for the first time since 2022.