Collin Murray-Boyles reacts negatively to Raptors drafting him

In Canada, on June 25, 2025, Collin Murray-Boyles was selected as the ninth overall pick in the NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors. The event took place during the first round of the draft where players eagerly awaited their future teams being announced. Murray-Boyles, a talented player from the University of South Carolina, showed signs of disappointment upon hearing his name, seemingly shaking his head and uttering an expletive before eventually putting on a smile and embracing his family. His reaction raised eyebrows and quickly became a talking point across social media and news platforms. Murray-Boyles had just completed an impressive college career, earning recognition such as All-SEC Freshman during his first season, followed by an All-SEC title in his second season. He averaged 16.8 points per game and boasted a remarkable field goal percentage, leading the conference at 58.6%. This impressive performance solidified his status as a high draft pick, making his unexpected reaction to being selected by the Raptors even more intriguing. This situation often reflects the emotions tied to being drafted into the NBA, where players dream of professional opportunities. The Toronto Raptors, after finishing a challenging season with a record of 30-52, were in need of fresh talent and offensive firepower. The acquisition of Murray-Boyles is seen as a strategic move to improve their roster for the upcoming season and potential playoff contention. The Raptors have a solid core from the last season including R.J. Barrett and Scottie Barnes. They hope that Murray-Boyles can complement these players and provide the offensive boost they require. While some viewed Murray-Boyles' reaction as merely shocked disbelief, speculations arose that he may have preferred being drafted by a different team, such as the Brooklyn Nets or the Houston Rockets, both teams that had picks leading up to the Raptors'. Transitioning from college to the professional level can be daunting, and the added element of relocating to Canada might pose another layer of apprehension for him. Despite the initial shock, he later expressed gratitude and a sense of disbelief about officially entering the NBA, highlighting that he appreciated the opportunity in Toronto, as evidenced by his comments acknowledging the team's talents.