Collin Murray-Boyles was the standout player for South Carolina basketball this past season, significantly improving his NBA draft stock with a strong sophomore campaign.
Currently projected as a Top 15 pick in most mock drafts, many expect him to take the leap to the next level. However, that hasn’t stopped rival programs from attempting to sway his decision, according to Gamecocks head coach Lamont Paris.
During an interview on SEC This Morning earlier in the week, Paris discussed the current landscape of college basketball, including the impact of NIL and the transfer portal. While sharing his thoughts on potential recruitment reforms, he also revealed that a conference rival had attempted to lure away his top player.
“Collin Murray-Boyles, who has no interest in leaving, was offered $2.5 million by a team in our conference that played in the NCAA Tournament,” Paris stated. Though he didn’t name the program, his comment left plenty of speculation given that 14 of the SEC’s 16 teams participated in March Madness, with South Carolina being one of the two that did not.
Despite missing the tournament, Paris has remained active in recruiting, securing several high-profile transfers. However, retaining his biggest star will be a challenge. In Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft, Murray-Boyles is projected to be the 11th overall pick after posting career highs across the board—averaging 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.
Still, South Carolina has an advantage through NIL opportunities, which could provide a strong incentive for him to stay.
Murray-Boyles, a Columbia, SC native, also has personal ties to the university. His girlfriend plays for the South Carolina women’s basketball team, which is currently in the Final Four. While Paris insists that the star forward isn’t considering a transfer—he has not entered the portal—conference rivals continue to make aggressive financial offers in an attempt to lure him away.
