Fresh off GG Jackson signing, USC’s Lamont Paris adds another hometown recruit

Another in-state player is going to stay home and play for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Columbia native Collin Murray-Boyles announced his commitment Sunday to play for Lamont Paris and the Gamecocks. He is the first commit for USC’s 2023 class.

The rising senior visited USC on Friday and told Paris of his decision.

Murray-Boyles also had offers from SMU, Jacksonville, Wofford, St. Bonaventure, Coastal Carolina, Belmont, Appalachian State, North Carolina A&T and UNC-Wilmington. He took an official visit to Belmont.

“They really just expressed how much they wanted me and how, if they want to rebuild the program, you have to start with a strong foundation,” Murray-Boyles told The State last month. “And coach thinks I can come in and be a good piece.”

Murray-Boyles becomes the second Columbia-area commitment for Paris, joining Ridge View’s G.G. Jackson, who reclassified and signed last month.The 6-foot-7 Murray-Boyles played his first three years at A.C. Flora and plans to play his senior season at Wasatch Academy in Utah. He leaves for his new school at the end of August.

“In the past five years, he has gotten bigger and gotten stronger. He has worked on his mobility,” said Ridge View coach Joshua Staley, who coached Murray-Boyles at A.C. Flora. “He has the ability to put the ball on the floor and hit the open jump shot.

“I think his game translates at the next level because of how you have to switch everything to defend. He is one of the rare players who can guard all five positions. He will give South Carolina a talent who can defend every position on the floor. He also has great touch offensively and feel for the game.”

Murray-Boyles played with A.C. Flora in the S.C. High School Coaches Association live period event this summer as he continued to come back from late-season foot injuries.

Murray-Boyles played this summer with Upward Stars SE on the Adidas circuit. USC offered Murray-Boyles in June, and Gamecock coaches, including Paris, were at the this summer’s live period S.C. event.

Assistant Eddie Shannon was in California to watch Upward Stars play. The team has three players with USC offers with Kyle Greene and Arden Conyers the others. Murray-Boyles averaged 10 points, seven rebounds and shot 67 percent from the field for Upward Stars this summer.

Murray-Boyles had a big junior season in helping the Falcons to the Class 4A state championship game. The Class 4A Player of the Year averaged 18.3 points, 11.4 rebounds, 5.3 blocks, 2.5 assists and 2.3 steals per game.