COLUMBIA, S.C. – In a historic achievement for South Carolina Gamecocks men’s basketball, sophomore forward Collin Murray-Boyles has been named the 2025 Bob Cousy Award winner, recognizing him as the nation’s top point guard, and has also earned a spot on the Midseason Wooden Award Watch List, cementing his status as one of college basketball’s elite talents. Announced on 30 June 2025, these accolades highlight Murray-Boyles’ extraordinary 2024-25 season, despite the Gamecocks’ challenging 12-20 record, and mark a significant milestone for a program on the rise under head coach Lamont Paris. Fans on X are buzzing, with posts like “CMB is a Gamecock legend already!” reflecting the excitement in Cougar Nation.
Murray-Boyles, a 6’8”, 245-pound forward from Columbia, S.C., has redefined versatility, leading the Gamecocks with 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 54.6% from the field, per thestate.com. His standout performances include a 35-point, four-steal game against Arkansas and a 22-point, nine-rebound effort in a 91-88 overtime upset over No. 25 Clemson, earning him SEC Player of the Week honors, as noted by garnetandcocky.com. His efficiency—ranking second in the SEC with 9.3 rebounds per game and leading in field goal percentage at 65%—made him a lock for the Bob Cousy Award, typically reserved for true point guards, showcasing his unique ability to orchestrate the offense from the forward position.
The Bob Cousy Award, presented by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, honors the top men’s collegiate point guard, with past winners like Jalen Brunson (2018) and Ayo Dosunmu (2021), per Wikipedia. Murray-Boyles’ selection as a forward is a rare feat, reflecting his playmaking prowess, evidenced by his 2.4 assists per game and clutch performances like six assists against Texas A&M, per si.com. The Midseason Wooden Award Watch List inclusion, announced by the Los Angeles Athletic Club, places him among the top contenders for the national player of the year, a testament to his all-around impact despite South Carolina’s struggles in a stacked SEC, where 10 teams were ranked in the Top 25, per garnetandcocky.com.
Murray-Boyles’ journey to these honors began with a stellar freshman year in 2023-24, where he averaged 10.4 points and 5.7 rebounds, earning SEC All-Freshman honors after a 31-point outburst against Vanderbilt, per gamecocksonline.com. Despite missing time due to mononucleosis, his 59.7% field goal percentage was the fourth-highest in Gamecock history, and his nine double-doubles in 2024-25 tied for third in the SEC, per gamecocksonline.com. His sophomore leap, highlighted by a perfect 10-for-10 shooting night against East Carolina, made him one of only three Gamecocks in history to achieve such a feat, per gamecocksonline.com. His NBA stock soared, culminating in his selection as the No. 9 overall pick by the Toronto Raptors in the 2025 NBA Draft, the first Gamecock first-rounder since 2006, per thestate.com.
These awards underscore Murray-Boyles’ rare combination of athleticism, efficiency, and leadership, even on a team that struggled in SEC play (0-9 start, per si.com). His ability to dominate in scoring, rebounding, and defense while facilitating the offense has drawn comparisons to NBA stars, with mock drafts projecting him as a lottery pick before he declared for the draft, per Wikipedia. On X, fans celebrated his Cousy win, with one post noting, “Collin’s doing things we’ve never seen at USC!” His commitment to South Carolina, despite only two Power Five offers out of high school, has made him a hometown hero, as highlighted by his youth camps in Columbia, per on3.com.
As the Gamecocks prepare for the 2025-26 season, Murray-Boyles’ legacy looms large, even after his departure to the NBA. His Bob Cousy and Midseason Wooden honors join his AP Second-Team All-SEC and Lute Olson Watch List nods, per gamecocksonline.com, marking him as the most decorated Gamecock since Chris Silva. For a program hungry for a return to NCAA Tournament glory, Murray-Boyles’ 2024-25 season was a beacon of hope, proving that even in a tough year, individual brilliance can redefine a team’s future.
