Collin Murray-Boyles has been nothing short of outstanding for the Toronto Raptors thus far.
His combination of hustle, defensive intensity, and a mature mentality for a rookie has been instrumental in his stellar first year at the pro level. Murray-Boyles has played in 43 games this season, averaging 7.9 points on 55.3 percent shooting, along with 5.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and nearly a steal and a block (0.9 respectively) per game.
Where he might lack in size and strength against established NBA centers, Raptors fans can attest to Murray-Boyles doing his best to stay active at all times, make quick decisions, and maintain his poise against players who should have him beat. In just his rookie season, CMB showed that even when he faced a cutthroat "welcome to the NBA" moment against an imposing force like Giannis Antetokounmpo, he continued to try his best under pressure.
Mainstream fans might not be as familiar with the CMB experience, so to speak, as they may be about the other standout 2025 classmen like Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and VJ Edgecombe. But Raptors fans know that Murray-Boyles is right there in that mix, as an impactful part of the Raptors' season.
And talk about being right there in the mix. Collin Murray-Boyles was recently honored with an appearance at the Rising Stars Game during All-Star weekend alongside those mentioned names. Although CMB was mostly inactive outside of a brief one-minute on-court glimpse, as he recovers from a thumb injury.
He may not have had the full luxury to maximize that platform, but it was still a positive note for Raptors Nation to see Murray-Boyles included in the festivities. It’s certainly reassurance that Toronto remains a breeding ground for uncut gems — shoutout to Alijah Martin as well.
Sam Vecenie of The Athletic and The Game Theory Podcast recently shared a similar sense of optimism regarding Murray-Boyles' future trajectory in his analysis titled "NBA Rookie Rankings: This class runs deep behind Cooper Flagg" (link here). In the article, Vecenie evaluates the impact that CMB has made as both a defender and an emerging offensive threat for the Raptors.
But perhaps the most noteworthy part of the Vecenie piece is his closing take on Collin Murray-Boyles. He argues that the 20-year-old Raptors rookie has a fair shot at earning a spot on the All-Rookie First Team, alongside his fellow rising star contemporaries. Vecenie wrote:
Sam Vecenie backs Collin Murray-Boyles for NBA All-Rookie First Team
"If we’re going purely off impacting winning basketball on both ends of the court as opposed to who puts up the most counting stats, Murray-Boyles is in the race for the last first-team All-Rookie spot. The top four seem solid right now with [Cooper] Flagg, [Kon] Knueppel, VJ Edgecombe and Cedric Coward. That fifth slot is up for grabs in the final third of the season, and Murray-Boyles is certainly one of the players chasing it."Sam Vecenie, Feb 19, 2026
I don’t think Vecenie could have been any more spot on with that take.
Murray-Boyles has been a key piece for the Raptors whenever he’s been available. He’s earned a solid role as a backup big, and sometimes as an occasional starter, especially given Toronto’s injury issues at that spot. He’s carving out a clear identity as a winning player who’s committed to doing the little things and embracing the gritty side of the game.
It’s a pretty safe bet to assume that based on the Raptors’ team success and the effort CMB has put in as a defensively sound newcomer (something rarely expected out of a rookie), how could he not make the All-Rookie First Team? It should be a no-brainer, and Raptors fans have been aware of this for a while. And across the basketball discussion spheres, CMB recognition is clearly picking up steam as well, so that is great to see.