‘Really special’: Collin Murray-Boyles HS coach explains journey from shy kid to NBA Draft

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — The lives of 30 young men will change forever at Wednesday night’s 2025 NBA Draft, including Columbia and The University of South Carolina’s own Collin Murray-Boyles.

His former high school coach, Joshua Staley, believes he has the on and off court makeup to help any team in the league.

“He’s the only player in the draft that can fit on any of the 30 plus teams in the NBA,” Staley said.

Murray-Boyles is a projected top 14 pick in this year’s draft.

Staley said the 6-8 240 pound power forward has come a long way since his days with the AC Flora Falcons.

“I thought he was shy, I thought he was confident but shy,” Staley said. “I also thought he had a chance to be really special. He was always a good sized kid. Just thought he was a shy kid who loved the game of basketball.”

Staley, now a multi-time state championship winning coach at Ridge View, coached Murray-Boyles at AC Flora and has known him since he was in 5th grade while coaching his older brother.

“By his 10th grade year I think he had a chance to be a pro because he was willing to do whatever it takes to be successful,” Staley said on his potential. “But then when I saw he went to South Carolina his freshman year and kinda did the same thing as a freshman. I was like man, this guy really has a chance. So really after his freshman year at South Carolina I thought he was ready to go to the NBA then.”

Murray-Boyles averaged 17 points and 8 rebounds on an underwhelming Gamecock team this past year.

While his game caught the attention of NBA teams, its his character Staley believes makes him a difference maker.

“He never became too big for coaching, he never became too big for a team,” Staley said.

“As good as he was, he would come here even in college and workout. I would get on him in the drills and we would talk about things and he was never like ‘coach I already know that’, he took it. He was very attentive and that’s why I know his game’s going to continue to grow.”

Murray-Boyles will join the likes of recent NBA champion with the Oklahoma City Thunder Dillon jones and Memphis Grizzly GG Jackson as recent Columbia products to make it to the NBA.

“Columbia is one of the biggest hot beds in the country if not the world,” Staley said, on the talent in the Midlands. “It’s a secret recipe that’s not much of a secret: Columbia takes care of their own.”

On what Murray-Boyle’s success can do for the area, Staley believes it will only help it grow.

“It shows South Carolina has talent and it shows the young people that they can do it too,” Staley said.

At Wednesday night’s NBA Draft, the 20 year old star will see his life change forever, but Staley’s confident Collin Murray Boyles the person will stay the same.

“Attention doesn’t change Collin and that’s why I love him so much man, he’s the same person before all this attention and he’s the same person after,” Staley said. “They’re going to get a talented basketball player but they’re getting an unbelievable person.”