Former Gamecock Collin Murray-Boyles clears the air on NBA Draft reaction

Draft night is always unforgettable, and for former Gamecock Collin Murray-Boyles, it definitely was. When the Toronto Raptors selected CMB with the No. 9 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, cameras caught a very human, very real, and very shocked reaction. He stood up, buttoned his jacket with a stunned look, shook his head, and dropped a spontaneous F-bomb. The clip quickly went viral for the wrong reasons, to the point where Raptors media team edited the moment out of their official draft video.

But let's be clear, it wasn't any shade at the Raptors on live television. It was just a Columbia kid having a full-circle moment on one of the biggest nights of his life, and any of us would (and probably have) reacted in the same way when a dream becomes a reality a little faster than expected.

Even though Murray-Boyles had worked out with the Raptors early in the pre-draft process, he had no idea that Toronto was going to take him at No. 9. Raptors general manager Bobby Webster said that the team doesn't usually inform players in advance. “My take on it was, [we] don’t tell them [we are drafting them],” Webster said. “A lot of people tell you, and so I don’t think he knew. I think maybe, you know, I think it was truly sort of a reaction to it happening. So maybe we should leak more.”

But for Murray-Boyles, the reaction had nothing to do with disappointment and everything to do with shock. “Just disbelief,” he said. “What I said was not a bad thing by any means. I’m just very thankful for it. That was a surreal moment to hear my name called by this organization that has a good history and have really good players right now. It was a crazy moment. Obviously thankful for the opportunity that they’re giving me. And taking it full on and ready to do whatever it takes and whatever they need me to do.”

And that "holy crap" moment was warranted for sure, as the defensive star with the 7'1" wingspan found everything he had worked for finally falling into his lap. From Columbia to Toronto, from Colonial Life Arena to Scotiabank Arena, we see you, CMB, and we are rooting for you!