2025 Draft Ranks: Bigs, Tier 1
The Basketball Notebook is back for the 2025 NBA draft. Over the course of the next month, I’ll be releasing tiered rankings by position, culminating in a final overall big board in mid to late June.
Links to Previously Released Rankings:
On-Ball Guard (Tier 1) / On-Ball Guard (Tier 2) / On-Ball Guard (Tier 3) / On-Ball Guard (Tier 4)
Wing Guard (Tier 1) / Wing Guard (Tier 2) / Wing Guard (Tier 3) / Wing Guard (Tier 4)
Wing Forward (Tier 1/1.5) / Wing Forward (Tier 2) / Wing Forward (Tier 3) / Wing Forward (Tier 4)
Click here for a few important reminders about how I structure my rankings and write-ups.
TIER 1:
Collin Murray-Boyles / South Carolina
Height/Wingspan: 6’8” / 7’1”
Rookie Season Age: 20
Player Type: Post Scorer / Versatile Defender
Game Reminds Me Of: Julius Randle / David West
Murray-Boyles broke out in his second season at South Carolina, finishing top 10 in the SEC in both points and rebounds per game. He’s a highly skilled player but may not be a seamless fit on every NBA roster.
Murray-Boyles was one of the more efficient high-volume scorers in the country, posting 64.7% true shooting on 26.7% usage. He was able to generate 75.1% of his field goal attempts at the rim (88th percentile frequency) and averaged 1.34 points per shot attempt on those looks (85th percentile efficiency). Murray-Boyles likes to face up and attack the basket from the mid and high post, and he’s got an above-average handle and solid footwork in the paint. He’s also excellent at early seals and duck-ins in the lane, and he’s a fluid athlete from catch to finish. Murray-Boyles can be a matchup nightmare, as he’s too quick for traditional bigs with his face-up game but also too strong and bulky for smaller post defenders. He averaged 1.08 points per possession on post-ups (86th percentile efficiency) and 1.11 points per possession out of isolations (88th percentile efficiency). Murray-Boyles’ size/speed combination also allowed him to make a living at the foul line (21.5% free throw attempt rate). I worry that his ability to exploit mismatches will be lessened by NBA front court size and athleticism, as he’s not an explosive vertical athlete. However, Murray-Boyles does have above-average foot speed and broad shoulders, which allows him to get his shot off around the basket against taller players.
Murray-Boyles is developing as a playmaker, which is going to be an essential element of his game. For him to reach his full potential, he needs to be someone who NBA teams can run offense through at the elbows. Murray-Boyles is a willing passer with good vision, particularly from the post. With his wide frame and ability to score from floater range, I could see him becoming a real weapon as a handoff hub. Right now, he’s a bit erratic with the ball (16.1% turnover rate), but he also had a very underwhelming supporting cast at South Carolina. Many of his turnovers came when creating off the dribble, which I think he’ll be asked to do less of in the NBA.
Shooting is a concern area for Murray-Boyles, particularly if teams view his best position as power forward. He averaged just 1.2 three-point attempts per 36 minutes this past season, converting 26.5% of those looks. His shooting form isn’t completely broken, but he’s got a low release and he’s not particularly comfortable or confident letting it fly. His footwork and lower-body mechanics are inconsistent, which makes it difficult for him to get it off without plenty of time and space. I’m also concerned that Murray-Boyles hasn’t developed any sort of mid-range game with his jumper (four off-dribble two-point field goal attempts in ‘24-25). Murray-Boyles can be an effective offensive player even without being a perimeter threat, and I think he can handle reps at center on the offensive end. However, if he’s paired with another non-shooting big, his team’s spacing will be very cramped.
Defensively, Murray-Boyles does a lot of things well. He bodies up drivers and post players with his chest, and he’s difficult to overpower in the lane. He’s got above-average instincts as a help defender and rim protector (3.3 steals+blocks per 36 minutes). He’s also a good lateral mover on the perimeter, even when dealing with guards and quicker wings. He can be a bit jumpy and foul-prone, but he’s not dead meat as a switch defender. He’ll need to be able to get out on the floor, because I don’t think Murray-Boyles has the size or athleticism to be effective in drop coverage. In many ways, Murray-Boyles’ offense will dictate his defensive viability. If he can survive at the four on offense, I think he’ll be just fine guarding forwards. However, if his weaknesses as a shooter dictate that he spends most of his minutes at center, he could struggle defensively as the lone big.
I’m a fan of how Murray-Boyles plays the game, and I think he’s going to be an effective NBA player. I’m projecting that he ends up better off in a third-big role where he can punish reserve units and his limitations won’t be as problematic. If he can improve as a shooter, or become so dynamic as an offensive engine that he commands high-volume on-ball reps, he could break through to a fringe All-Star level.
Projected NBA Role: High-End Reserve
NBA Upside: Fringe All-Star