Murray-Boyles Named SEC Freshman of the Week

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Forward Collin Murray-Boyles was named SEC Freshman of the Week the league office announced on Monday. In two victories last week, he averaged 23.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks while shooting 22-of-28 (78.6 percent) from the floor.

The Columbia, S.C., native had a breakout performance in a 15-point win over Vanderbilt on Saturday, scoring a career-high 31 points on 14-of-17 (82.4 percent) shooting to go with seven rebounds, two assists a steal and a block.

Murray-Boyles is the first SEC freshman since Bobby Portis of Arkansas in 2014 to record 30 or more points with 13 or more made field goals while shooting above 80 percent. Murray-Boyles is just the third Gamecock freshman to record a 30-point game since Carolina joined the SEC in 1991-92 (Gregory “GG” Jackson II in 2023 and Bruce Ellington in 2010 the others). He also became just the third Gamecock the last 25 seasons to record 30 points on 80 percent or better shooting in an SEC game.

Murray-Boyles led the No. 11/11 Gamecocks to victory earlier in the week against Ole Miss (Feb. 6) leading the team with 16 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. He had a crucial block at the rim with 1:22 remaining in the game on 7-5 Jamarion Sharp.

He’s the first Gamecock since Gregory “GG” Jackson II on Nov. 14, 2022 to earn Freshman of the Week honors from the league office.

South Carolina has won seven-straight SEC games for the first time since 1996-97 (started 11-0 in SEC play) and is 21-3 for just the third time in program history (2015-16 and 1969-70). The Gamecocks are tied atop the SEC standings currently with No. 16/16 Alabama at 9-2.

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