Colin Murray-Boyles’ first moment as an NBA player went viral, with people trying to interpret whether he was disappointed about where he would be playing his first few years in the league.
During the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday, the Toronto Raptors were on the clock and decided to take Murray-Boyles with the ninth overall pick. Murray-Boyles, who was sitting at a table with his family inside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, stood up from his seat, began to button his sport coat and used a curse word before hugging his mother.
On social media, Murray-Boyles’ use of the F-word was interpreted as meaning he did not want to play for the Raptors, which he later cleared up.
“It was just disbelief,” Murray-Boyles said via CBS Sports reporter Robby Kalland. “What I said was not a bad thing by any means. I’m thankful.”
The Raptors also played up the moment, making a post on social media of a smiling Murray-Boyles with the caption, “See guys, he’s happy!! 😂"
This is not the first time that a player’s initial reaction to being picked has been taken in a different context. When the Sixers selected center Joel Embiid with the third overall selection in the 2014 draft, the broadcast feed showed an emotionless Embiid not appearing to be excited that the team had selected him. The feed, however, was on a delay, and when the camera went back to him, Embiid was celebrating that he had been chosen.
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Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com.