Gamecock Stars Share Emotional Moment as Murray-Boyles Becomes Toronto Raptors’ No. 9 Pick

NEW YORK — The 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center was more than just a night of career-defining moments for basketball’s rising stars—it was a celebration of love and support for South Carolina’s beloved power couple, Chloe Kitts and Collin Murray-Boyles. As Murray-Boyles was selected as the No. 9 overall pick by the Toronto Raptors, Kitts, a standout forward for the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team, was by his side, stealing hearts with her unwavering support and radiant pride.

The emotional scene unfolded on national television when NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called Murray-Boyles’ name. Kitts, dressed in a striking red dress, leaped to her feet, embracing her boyfriend in a tearful hug that captured the essence of their shared journey. Moments later, she donned a Raptors cap, beaming with pride as she celebrated his milestone. The heartfelt moment quickly went viral, with ESPN’s broadcast and social media posts amplifying the couple’s genuine affection. “Chloe Kitts was there to watch her boyfriend Collin Murray-Boyles’ NBA dream come true ❤️,” posted ESPNW on X, resonating with fans nationwide.

Murray-Boyles, a 6-foot-7 forward who averaged 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in his sophomore season at South Carolina, became the second-highest draft pick in Gamecock men’s basketball history. His selection marked a historic moment for the program, as he joined the Raptors, a franchise eager to rebuild with his defensive prowess and versatile playmaking. But for Gamecock fans, the night was as much about the couple’s love story as it was about basketball.

Kitts, a junior forward for Dawn Staley’s championship-caliber women’s team, has her own draft aspirations, with projections placing her as a potential first-round pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Averaging 10.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists last season, she played a pivotal role in South Carolina’s 2024 NCAA championship win and their 2025 title game run, despite a loss to UConn. Her presence at the draft wasn’t just as a supportive partner—she’s a star in her own right, with 250,000 Instagram followers dwarfing Murray-Boyles’ 24,000, a fact that sparked lighthearted buzz online.

The couple, who went Instagram-official in April 2024 at the Gamecock Gala, has been inseparable since meeting at South Carolina in 2023. Their relationship has charmed fans through TikTok challenges, red carpet appearances, and mutual sideline support at each other’s games. Murray-Boyles even admitted to ESPN that Kitts’ triple-double (16 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists) against Ole Miss on February 27, 2025, outshone his own career-high 35-point game, saying, “She played with a lot of heart, and I love watching that game.”

South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley added a playful touch to the night, tweeting about the couple’s “international” romance now that Murray-Boyles is headed to Toronto: “Now sneaking out of town means you’ll be sneaking out of the country,” she wrote with laughing emojis, delighting fans.

As Murray-Boyles prepares for the NBA Summer League in July, Kitts will return to South Carolina for her senior season, chasing another NCAA title. Their story, rooted in shared ambition and mutual admiration, has become a beacon for Gamecock Nation. From the courts of Columbia to the bright lights of Brooklyn, Chloe Kitts and Collin Murray-Boyles proved that love and basketball make an unbeatable team.