Toronto’s first-round pick is already making waves—Collin Murray-Boyles is turning heads in the Summer League.
Toronto’s first-round pick, Collin Murray-Boyles, has wasted no time making his presence felt in the Summer League, quickly capturing attention from coaches, analysts, and fans who have been eager to see if the hype surrounding him was justified. The young forward entered the league with plenty of intrigue, and through just a handful of games, he is already living up to expectations and perhaps even exceeding them. For a player coming straight from college to this stage, the adjustment is never easy, but Murray-Boyles has handled it with poise, confidence, and an impressive skill set that suggests Toronto might have landed a real gem.
When a player is selected in the first round, there is an immediate weight of expectation attached to their name. Fans want to see results, coaches want signs of promise, and the front office wants reassurance that their investment was the right one. For Murray-Boyles, those questions are already being answered in the most emphatic way possible. From the opening tip of his Summer League debut, his energy level was evident. He plays with an intensity that jumps off the screen, hustling for loose balls, attacking the glass with aggression, and showing a level of physicality that belies his age. That competitive edge is something Toronto’s coaching staff has emphasized as a key part of their team culture, and it’s clear the rookie is buying in completely.
One of the most striking things about Murray-Boyles’ game so far has been his versatility. Standing at 6-foot-7 with a strong frame, he has demonstrated the ability to guard multiple positions effectively, switching onto guards in pick-and-roll situations and holding his own against bigger forwards in the post. Defensively, his instincts are advanced for a rookie. He has showcased excellent timing as a help defender, coming over for weak-side blocks and contesting shots without fouling. For Toronto, which has prided itself on defensive versatility over the past few years, Murray-Boyles’ skill set fits perfectly into the team’s identity.
Offensively, his development might be even more intriguing. While he wasn’t known as an elite scorer coming out of college, he has shown flashes in the Summer League that suggest untapped potential in that area. His ability to finish through contact has been impressive, using his strength to absorb hits and still get shots up around the rim. Additionally, his mid-range jumper has looked smoother than expected, and he’s even stepped out to knock down a few three-pointers, something scouts viewed as a swing skill in his pre-draft evaluation. If Murray-Boyles can consistently stretch the floor, he becomes an entirely different type of weapon for Toronto—one that opponents can’t simply sag off and ignore on the perimeter.
What stands out just as much as his on-court production is his composure. Summer League can often be a chaotic environment, with young players eager to prove themselves and sometimes forcing the issue offensively. Murray-Boyles, however, has played within himself, making smart decisions and showing a strong understanding of spacing and ball movement. His passing has been another pleasant surprise, as he’s delivered several sharp assists in transition and from the high post, finding cutting teammates for easy baskets. That unselfishness and court awareness are traits that coaches love, especially from a rookie who could have easily tried to dominate the ball in an attempt to make headlines.
Speaking of headlines, Murray-Boyles is generating plenty of them. NBA analysts covering the Summer League have repeatedly mentioned his name as one of the standout performers thus far. His highlight plays—whether it’s a thunderous dunk in transition, a timely block on defense, or a perfectly timed lob to a teammate—have gone viral across social media platforms, drawing praise from fans and even current NBA players. That kind of early buzz is invaluable for a rookie looking to establish his brand in the league, but it’s clear from his demeanor that he’s more focused on the work than the hype.
Toronto’s coaching staff has been vocal about how impressed they are with his work ethic and approach to the game. Reports out of practice indicate that Murray-Boyles has been one of the hardest workers on the team, arriving early for extra shooting sessions and staying late to review film. That mentality is exactly what organizations hope for when drafting young players—it signals that the player is not content with just making the league but is determined to improve and carve out a meaningful role. For a Raptors team looking to retool and return to playoff contention, having a rookie with that kind of mindset is a huge advantage.
Of course, it’s important to remember that this is still the Summer League, and plenty of players have shined in July only to struggle when the real season begins. The level of competition is different, the schemes are more complex, and the physicality ramps up. However, the qualities Murray-Boyles has displayed—effort, adaptability, defensive intensity, and offensive versatility—tend to translate well regardless of the setting. If he continues to refine his shooting and decision-making, there’s every reason to believe he could earn significant minutes as a rookie, particularly on a Toronto roster that values defensive prowess and positionless basketball.
For Raptors fans, the excitement is palpable. After a season that fell short of expectations, the organization needed a spark, and it appears they may have found one in Murray-Boyles. His potential to become a two-way force makes him one of the more intriguing young players in this year’s draft class. Some comparisons have already started circulating, with analysts drawing parallels to versatile forwards like PJ Washington or even a young Draymond Green, though those are lofty benchmarks. Regardless, if Murray-Boyles even approaches that level of impact, the Raptors will have scored a major win.
The next steps for Murray-Boyles will be about consistency and carving out his role in the rotation once training camp begins. He’ll need to continue improving his three-point shot, work on his ball-handling to attack closeouts more effectively, and adjust to the speed of NBA offenses and defenses. But based on what we’ve seen so far, there’s every reason to believe he’s on the right trajectory. The foundation is there: athleticism, defensive versatility, unselfishness, and a relentless motor.
Ultimately, the Summer League is about glimpses of the future, and for Toronto, those glimpses have been incredibly promising. Collin Murray-Boyles is not just playing well—he’s making a statement that he belongs and that he intends to be a difference-maker sooner rather than later. If his current trajectory holds, Raptors fans could be watching the early stages of a player who will become a cornerstone of the franchise for years to come. The NBA season is still months away, but one thing is clear: Toronto’s first-round pick is already making waves, and the buzz surrounding him is only going to get louder as time goes on.
