King Ken's Big Board 2025 (Final)

[King Ken]

Just tier 1 to tier 3.5 for now. Tier 4 and 5 will be added at a later date.
# **2025 NBA Draft Big Board - Tiers 1-3.5**

## **Tier 1 - Elite Cornerstone Prospect**
- **Cooper Flagg** (SF) - "Luka of this class. Day 1 dog."

There are basketball players, and then there are basketball players who make you stop whatever you're doing and watch. Cooper Flagg is emphatically the latter. At 6'7.75" with a 7-foot wingspan, this kid from Maine who won't turn 19 until December possesses something that can't be taught, can't be manufactured, and certainly can't be faked: an otherworldly combination of athletic reactivity, motor, and competitive fire that burns so bright it's almost uncomfortable to witness.

Watch Flagg for five minutes and you'll understand why scouts are already penciling him in as the consensus number one pick. He doesn't just play hard—he plays like his life depends on every possession. Zero fear. Zero hesitation. When Duke needed a bucket, they went to the teenager. When they needed a stop, he was already there, anticipating the play two beats ahead of everyone else. This is what greatness looks like at eighteen years old.

What separates Flagg from the pack isn't just his production—though averaging 4.2 assists against 2.1 turnovers while shooting 38.5% from three is nothing to sneeze at—it's the way he impacts winning. Duke's defense was top-five nationally because Flagg was constantly around the ball, disrupting everything with preternatural anticipation that had opposing coaches game-planning around a freshman. He was a finalist for national Defensive Player of the Year, for crying out loud. As a teenager.

**Comp/Upside:** Josh Smith meets Tyrese Haliburton. Not the insane athlete Josh Smith is and not the floor general Haliburton is but he's a blend of the two. He doesn't have any critical flaws like Smoove and he doesn't have size issues like Haliburton but he's a mix of the two. I can see him becoming more of a point forward as he ages.

## **Tier 2 - All-Star Potential**
- **Dylan Harper** (SG) - "plus upside gives him a nice top 25 projection after the end of year 4 and has the same tier as Cade Cunningham who he favorably compares to"

If you're looking for the perfect modern guard prototype, Dylan Harper is your guy. Standing 6'4.5" with a 6'10.5" wingspan and an NBA-ready 213-pound frame, Harper moves through defenses with the kind of practiced ease that makes veteran coaches nod approvingly. This isn't some raw athlete hoping to figure it out—this is a polished basketball player who happens to be nineteen years old.

Harper's secret weapon isn't flash or pizzazz; it's that maddening ability to stay balanced no matter what defenders throw at him. Watch him attack a ball screen and you'll see what separates good players from great ones: those hang dribbles that let plays develop around him, the way he keeps his defender on his hip while scanning for the right read, the patience to let the defense dictate his next move. When he finally decides to go, it's over. He averaged four attempts at the rim per game and converted an obscene 65.3% of them.

But here's what really gets scouts excited: Harper isn't just a scorer masquerading as a playmaker. He averaged four assists against 2.3 turnovers while maintaining that scoring edge. He shoots 38.3% on catch-and-shoot threes. He competes defensively. In short, he does everything you want a franchise guard to do, and he does it with the kind of calm confidence that suggests he's just getting started.

**Comp/Upside:** Cade Cunningham. The comparison makes perfect sense when looking at Harper's combination of size, skill, and versatility. Like Cade, Harper has elite size for a guard (6'4.5" vs Cade's 6'6") with excellent wingspan and NBA-ready frame. Both players share that rare blend of being scoring-minded guards who can also create for others, with Harper's 4 assists to 2.3 turnovers mirroring Cade's ability to facilitate while maintaining primary scorer mentality.

The similarities extend to their ball-handling creativity, polished footwork, and ability to navigate ball screens with patience and poise. Both use hang dribbles effectively to let plays develop and have the physical tools to play multiple positions. Harper's balanced approach - elite finishing ability combined with improved shooting and solid defensive effort - mirrors the well-rounded skill set that made Cade a top pick. The projection of Harper reaching top 25 player status by year 4 aligns with Cade's trajectory as a foundational piece.

## **Tier 3 - All-Star Possibilities**
- **Cedric Coward** (SG) - "#3 player... The less explosive and less dynamic hybrid of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen"

Sometimes a player walks into a gym and you just know. Cedric Coward has that quality—the kind of rare physical specimen that makes grown men in NBA front offices start making phone calls. At 6'5.25" with a massive 7'2.25" wingspan and 10-inch hands, Coward looks like someone drew up the perfect wing player in a laboratory. But here's the thing about Coward that separates him from all the other impressive measurables walking around college campuses: the kid can actually play.

What strikes you first about Coward isn't his length—though that wingspan is genuinely absurd—it's how fluid everything looks. For someone still growing into his frame, he moves with a kinetic connection that's genuinely rare. Everything flows. His shooting mechanics are a thing of beauty: that perfectly shoulder-width base, the high release point, the way every shot looks identical to the last one. He hit 38.8% from three over his college career and 40.7% on catch-and-shoot attempts over his final two seasons. Those aren't fluky numbers.

But Coward's real calling card is his basketball IQ. He took significant strides as a passer this season, averaging 3.7 assists in limited games while consistently making the right reads out of help situations. Defensively, he's a disruptive force who averaged a steal and a block per game while becoming an effective weakside rim rotator. The combination of length, instincts, and pure basketball savvy suggests a player who could impact winning at the highest level without needing to dominate the ball.

**Comp/Upside:** Scottie Pippen with movements like Michael Jordan without his special attributes, also within comp range of Jalen Williams and Mikal Bridges. The Pippen comparison fits perfectly with Coward's elite length (7'2.25" wingspan), defensive versatility (guards 2-4, switchable), and improved playmaking vision that creates advantages for teammates. Like Scottie, he's incredibly fluid despite his length and has that intuitive understanding of leverage and timing that made Pippen special. His weakside rim protection and ability to disrupt passing lanes mirror Pippen's help defense impact.

The Jordan elements show purely in his movement patterns and fluidity - the way everything in his kinetic chain connects smoothly, but he lacks MJ's explosive first step, cat-like quickness, body control, and overall athleticism. The Jalen Williams/Mikal Bridges range makes sense given his combination of size, shooting consistency (40.7% on catch-and-shoot threes), and two-way impact. All four players share that rare blend of length, basketball IQ, and positional versatility that allows them to impact winning in multiple ways without needing the ball in their hands constantly.

## **Tier 3.5 - Decent Role Player with All-Star Possibilities**
- **Ace Bailey** (SF) - "gives you Tracy McGrady and Cam Reddish vibes"

Ace Bailey looks like a star. That's the first thing you notice when he walks onto a court—the 6'7.5" frame with that 8'11" standing reach, the way he carries himself with the quiet confidence of someone who's been the best player in the gym since middle school. At just 18 years old, Bailey has that indefinable quality that makes scouts start dreaming about what he could become.

The pull-up game is where Bailey separates himself from the pack. Watch him string together moves off the bounce—the hang dribbles, the crossovers, the way he creates space going backward and sideways with those long strides—and you start to understand why teams are willing to bet their future on potential. He shot 38.7% on catch-and-shoot threes and 41% off screens, numbers that suggest the shooting foundation is real. When he's locked in, Bailey creates shots that simply shouldn't exist.

But here's the rub with Bailey: for every moment of brilliance, there's a reminder that he's still figuring it out. The shot creation against length needs work. The consistency wavers. The defense, while showing flashes with 1.1 steals and 1.3 blocks per game, comes with gambling tendencies that make coaches nervous. Bailey is the classic boom-or-bust prospect—all the tools in the world, with everything still needing to come together.

**Comp/Upside:** Tracy McGrady and Cam Reddish vibes with comp range of Jaylen Brown coming out of Cal. The T-Mac comparison stems from Bailey's combination of elite size for a wing, incredible open-floor athleticism, and ability to create his own shot with that signature pull-up game. Like McGrady, he has that high release point and ability to get to stepbacks and fadeaways that are nearly unguardable when he's on. The coordination and balance while stringing together moves off the bounce mirrors T-Mac's smooth shot creation, though Bailey lacks McGrady's elite first step and finishing ability at the rim.

The Cam Reddish element comes from the boom-or-bust nature - elite physical tools and shot-making ability but questions about consistency and overall basketball impact. The Jaylen Brown comparison makes sense given Brown's similar athletic profile coming out of Cal - explosive open-floor athlete with defensive playmaking ability (Brown averaged 1.2 steals, 0.6 blocks) and developing shot creation skills. Both players had that "looks the part" appeal with elite measurables and flashes of star-level shot-making, but needed development in terms of creating advantages and finishing around the rim. Bailey's youth (18 on draft day) gives him similar upside trajectory to what Brown eventually became.

- **VJ Edgecombe** (SG) - "more like Bradley Beal... That's a top 5 pick to me"

VJ Edgecombe plays basketball like his hair is on fire. The 6'4" guard with a 6'7.5" wingspan doesn't just compete—he attacks every possession with a manic intensity that's equal parts infectious and exhausting to watch. This is a kid who dives for every loose ball, contests every shot, and never, ever gives an inch. In an era where effort is sometimes treated as optional, Edgecombe plays like his life depends on every play.

The athletic tools are legitimate top-five-percent NBA material. Edgecombe combines twitchy explosiveness with a quick first step that leaves defenders grasping at air. What makes him special isn't just the burst—it's the motor that never stops running. He averaged 2.2 steals per game by getting into passing lanes and harassing ballhandlers, but more importantly, he got dramatically better as the season progressed. Over his final 21 games, Edgecombe averaged 17 points while shooting 45.3% from the field and 36.5% from three. That improvement curve suggests a player who's just scratching the surface.

Defensively, Edgecombe is already elite. He uses his quickness to beat opponents to spots, has the hand-eye coordination to blow up dribble handoffs, and possesses the recovery speed to get back into plays even when beaten. The combination of athletic gifts and relentless effort creates the kind of defensive impact that makes coaches fall in love with a prospect. If the offensive consistency continues to develop, Edgecombe could be the steal of the draft.

**Comp/Upside:** Bradley Beal. The comparison makes perfect sense given Edgecombe's combination of elite athleticism (top-5% in NBA), scoring ability (17 PPG over final 21 games), and two-way impact. Like Beal, he has that twitchy explosiveness with a quick first step, solid size for a shooting guard (6'4" with 6'7.5" wingspan), and the competitive motor that translates to both ends. His ability to improve throughout the season (36.5% from three late) mirrors Beal's development trajectory, while his defensive activity (2.2 steals per game) and willingness to make winning plays shows the all-around impact that made Beal a multiple All-Star despite not being the most polished prospect coming out.

- **Tre Johnson** (SG) - "Ray Allen is the obvious comp... easily the best of them all"

Tre Johnson has that rarest of qualities in basketball: he makes shooting look effortless. Standing 6'4.75" with a 6'10.25" wingspan, Johnson possesses the kind of pure stroke that makes old-school coaches get misty-eyed about the fundamentals. Everything about his jumper is textbook—the balance, the rhythm, the simple mechanics without wasted movement. When Johnson shoots, the ball doesn't just go in; it looks like it was always meant to be there.

But here's what separates Johnson from your typical catch-and-shoot specialist: the kid is fearless. He thinks he's the best player on the court every time he steps between the lines, and he backs it up with that professional scorer mentality. Johnson shot 44.2% from three in transition, 40.8% on catch-and-shoot attempts, and 54.8% off screens. He made the fourth-most pull-up threes of any wing in the draft class at 38.4%. These aren't cute numbers—this is elite marksmanship from every conceivable angle.

What makes Johnson truly special is his work ethic. Known as an extremely high-level worker who's constantly in the gym, Johnson has the kind of perfectionist mentality that suggests his best basketball is ahead of him. The stroke is already there. The confidence is unshakeable. The only question is how much more he can add to his game, but with that foundation and that mindset, the ceiling feels limitless.

**Comp/Upside:** Ray Allen prototype. The comparison is perfect given Johnson's combination of size (6'4.75"), elite shooting mechanics, and versatility as a scorer from multiple levels. Like Allen, he has that textbook jumper with simple mechanics, elite balance, and consistent form that "looks the same every time" - the kind you'd teach to kids. His ability to excel in transition (44.2% from three), off catches (40.8% C&S), off screens (54.8%), and on pull-ups (38.4%) mirrors Allen's complete shooting package. The fearless confidence and professional scorer mentality combined with his work ethic suggests he could follow Allen's trajectory from pure shooter to complete offensive weapon, making him easily the best Ray Allen prototype in recent memory.

- **Khaman Maluach** (C) - "earning comps to Walker Kessler and teams like him more"

Here's the thing about Khaman Maluach: he should probably be in Tier 5 based on his offensive limitations alone. The high center of gravity, the average feel for the game, the rough hands and poor hand-eye coordination—these are real concerns that can't be ignored. But what Maluach does well, he does at an NBA-special level, and sometimes that's enough to change everything.

At 7'0.75" without shoes with a 7'6.75" wingspan and 9'6" standing reach, Maluach possesses the kind of physical dimensions that stop conversations. These are Rudy Gobert and Mark Williams measurements, the kind that maybe three or four players in the entire league can match. But size alone doesn't make a player—what makes Maluach intriguing is how dramatically he improved throughout the season, just like Dereck Lively II did under Jon Scheyer.

By January, Maluach had transformed from a lost freshman into a legitimate rim protector who understood gap control and could contest both the ballhandler and roller in drop coverage. Opposing teams shot 6.5% worse at the rim when he was on the court. He finished 30 of 33 attempts in ball screen situations and shot 80.6% at the rim—among the best marks in college basketball. The foundation is there. The question is whether he can build enough around it to justify that elite defensive impact.

**Comp/Upside:** Shades of Rudy Gobert meets shades of Mark Williams meets shades of DeAndre Jordan meets shades of Bill Laimbeer meets deep shades of Siakam. The Gobert comparison comes from his elite measurables (7'6.75" wingspan, 9'6" standing reach) and defensive impact - opposing teams shot significantly worse when he's on court and his length cuts off angles just like Rudy. The Mark Williams element shows in his mobility and ability to switch onto guards while maintaining rim protection, plus that efficient finishing around the basket (80.6% at rim). The DeAndre Jordan shades appear in his excellent screen-and-roll finishing (30 of 33 attempts) and willingness to do the dirty work on offensive glass.

The Bill Laimbeer aspect comes from his understanding of positioning and screening fundamentals, but more importantly his shooting touch - took 10 threes this season showing range potential and has soft touch evidenced by 67% on layups and 50% on hook shots. Like Laimbeer, he has that big man who can step out and shoot foundation, though still developing. The deep shades of Siakam are the most intriguing, suggesting potential for skill development and versatility that could make him more than just a traditional big. His improvement throughout the season mirrors how Siakam evolved his game, and his fluid movement for his size hints at untapped offensive potential beyond just dunking and finishing. If he develops even a fraction of Siakam's skill expansion, combined with his elite physical tools, he could become a truly special two-way center.

- **Jeremiah Fears** (PG) - "reminds me of Dennis Schröder but taller and more explosive"

Jeremiah Fears plays basketball like he's constantly late for something important. The 6'4" guard with a 6'5.25" wingspan is genuinely twitchy in the best possible way—every movement explosive, every decision made at warp speed. This is what top-five-percent NBA athleticism looks like when it's harnessed by someone who refuses to be denied.

Fears is that rare breed of herky-jerky ball-handler who's impossible to read. He'll go fast, then slow, then explode into a floater or attack the rim with either hand. His 56.4% two-point percentage and 64.0% scoring rate in pick-and-roll situations tell the story of a player who creates advantages at will. When Fears decides to get to the rim, he usually gets there. The question is what happens when he arrives.

But here's the rub with Fears: the shooting is genuinely concerning. He made just 28.4% of his threes and wasn't significantly better in high school. His decision-making, while improved, still features too many turnovers for a player who needs the ball to be effective. Fears is the classic high-ceiling, low-floor prospect—capable of spectacular plays and frustrating stretches in equal measure. The athleticism and competitiveness suggest he'll figure it out, but the development curve could be bumpy.

**Comp/Upside:** Dennis Schröder but taller and more explosive. The comparison fits perfectly with Fears' combination of elite athleticism, quick first step, and ability to create advantages in pick-and-roll situations. Like Schröder, he's a dynamic scorer who can get to the rim at will and pressure defenses with pace changes, but Fears has better size (6'4" vs Schröder's 6'1") and potentially more explosive athleticism. Both players share that fearless scoring mentality and ability to take over games, though Fears needs to develop the same shooting consistency and decision-making that made Schröder effective in the NBA.

- **Kon Knueppel** (SG) - comparable to "Dyson Daniels... more malleable for most NBA teams"

Kon Knueppel doesn't beat you with flash—he beats you with precision. The 6'7" guard with a 217-pound frame and impeccable basketball pedigree approaches the game with the kind of methodical excellence that makes veteran coaches appreciate the fundamentals. This isn't a player who's going to wow you with highlight-reel dunks; this is a player who's going to make every shot he's supposed to make and several he probably shouldn't.

The shooting stroke is pure poetry. Knueppel hit 40.6% from three while averaging 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists with the kind of efficiency that suggests he'll be cashing checks in the NBA for a long time. His catch-and-shoot numbers are elite, his off-screen work is polished, and his basketball IQ allows him to find his spots within any offensive system. Knueppel may not be the primary creator, but he's the kind of player who makes everyone around him better.

The defensive versatility is what really intrigues scouts. Knueppel can guard multiple positions thanks to his size, effort, and court awareness, though he lacks the lateral quickness to stay with elite athletes. The key word with Knueppel is "malleable"—he fits into any system, makes the right plays, and never tries to do more than his role requires. In an NBA increasingly focused on role definition and system basketball, Knueppel represents the kind of plug-and-play talent that championship teams covet.

**Comp/Upside:** Dyson Daniels but more malleable for most NBA teams. The comparison makes sense given both players' size (Kon at 6'7", Daniels at 6'6"), high basketball IQ, and ability to impact winning without being primary scorers. Like Daniels, Knueppel has that rare combination of shooting ability, defensive versatility, and court awareness that allows him to fit seamlessly into different systems. However, Knueppel is more polished offensively with superior shooting mechanics and range, making him more "malleable" since he can provide immediate floor spacing. Both players project as valuable role players who make winning plays, but Knueppel's shooting gives him a higher offensive floor than Daniels had coming out.

- **Noa Essengue** (SF) - "unique talent... his talent level is so damn high. Maybe as high as Bailey's"

Noa Essengue is what happens when you combine elite physical tools with genuine basketball instincts and let the mixture simmer in professional basketball for a few years. At 6'9" with a 7'0" wingspan and 9'3.25" standing reach, Essengue possesses the kind of measurables that make NBA executives start calculating salary cap implications. But here's what separates him from the countless other impressive physical specimens: the 18-year-old actually knows how to play.

Watch Essengue in transition and you'll see something genuinely special—a 6'9" player who runs the floor like a guard, using his size and speed to create advantages that simply shouldn't exist. His 68.7% field goal percentage at the rim and dominant transition scoring (93rd percentile) tell the story of a player who understands how to leverage his tools. The passing is already there—creative interior feeds and over-the-head outlets that suggest elite court vision.

The concerns are real and substantial. Essengue shot just 26.4% from three and often looks more like a power forward than the wing his size suggests he should be. His offensive creation remains limited, and there are questions about whether he can develop the consistency needed to impact winning at the highest level. But the talent level is undeniable—potentially as high as anyone in this class if the development curve breaks the right way.

**Comp/Upside:** Unique talent whose ceiling could rival Ace Bailey's due to rare combination of size, athleticism, and skill potential. Essengue's 6'9" frame with guard-like mobility and ball-handling ability creates matchup nightmares similar to how Bailey's size/skill combo makes him special. Like Bailey, he has elite physical tools and flashes of star-level ability, but needs significant development to reach that potential. The key difference is Essengue's more advanced feel for the game and passing ability, suggesting he could impact winning even if his shooting doesn't develop. His fluid athleticism and versatility give him multiple pathways to NBA success - whether as a point forward, versatile wing, or switchable big - making his talent level potentially as high as any wing in the class.

- **Egor Demin** (PG) - "has the most SGA type qualities"

Egor Demin is the kind of prospect who makes scouts question everything they think they know about positional basketball. Standing 6'8.25" barefoot with a 6'10.25" wingspan, Demin possesses the size of a power forward and the vision of an elite point guard. The combination is genuinely rare—arguably the best passer in the 2025 draft class with the kind of positional size that allows him to see over any defense.

The passing is what sets Demin apart. His 5.5 assists per game might not blow you away until you watch the tape and see the degree of difficulty involved. Demin throws passes that shouldn't exist—live-dribble dishes with either hand to any part of the court, crafty feeds through traffic, outlet passes that start fast breaks. His basketball IQ is off the charts, constantly reading rotations and making decisions two beats ahead of the defense.

But here's the challenge with Demin: for all his gifts as a facilitator, the scoring remains inconsistent. He shot just 27.3% from three with stiff mechanics that suggest limited upside as a shooter. His lack of a quick first step makes it difficult to consistently create advantages against athletic defenders. Demin is the ultimate high-floor, moderate-ceiling prospect—he'll help you win games immediately, but the path to stardom requires significant development.

**Comp/Upside:** Has the most SGA type qualities. While he's not as talented as SGA, it's his potential that's extremely unique. The comparison stems from his combination of positional size (6'8.25"), advanced court vision, and smooth ball-handling ability that allows him to see the game differently than smaller guards. Both players share that patient, methodical approach to breaking down defenses while maintaining elite passing vision. Demin's potential becomes compelling when considering his developmental runway - if he can improve his shooting consistency and first step like SGA did from his early years to All-Star level, he has the framework to follow a similar trajectory. His basketball IQ, positional versatility, and ability to make teammates better provide the foundation for that type of growth, even if his current talent level isn't at SGA's baseline.

- **Derik Queen** (C) - "has the goods to be a multiple all star by year 4 as a top 35 player"

Derik Queen is basketball's version of a unicorn—a 6'10" center with guard skills who plays the game like he's been transported from some parallel universe where the positions don't matter. Big Ten Freshman of the Year with 16.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 15 double-doubles, Queen spent his freshman season dazzling crowds with spin moves and crafty finishes that had no business working for someone his size.

The handle is legitimate. Queen can put the ball on the floor, create his own shot, and make highlight-reel passes that leave opposing coaches scratching their heads. His 59.5% field goal percentage and 78.2% free throw shooting suggest a player with genuine touch and feel for scoring. When Maryland needed a basket, they went to their freshman center and trusted him to create something out of nothing. That's not normal.

The defensive improvement was equally impressive. Maryland switched everything, and Queen held up remarkably well against guards thanks to improved lateral quickness and basketball IQ. But here's the rub: Queen shot just 12.5% from three with enough air balls to fill a highlight reel. He appears closer to 6'9" than his listed 6'10". The offensive brilliance comes with enough question marks to make evaluators nervous. Queen is either going to revolutionize the center position or flame out spectacularly. There's very little middle ground.

**Comp/Upside:** Extremely unique. I don't have a good comp in mind for him now but if he can vastly improve his shooting and develop as a PnR ball handler like what Danny Wolf has done, there is a chance he's a center version of James Harden which is a rare prototype only Trae Young, Luka Doncic, and Caitlin Clark are in as heliocentric players founded by James Harden. His combination of size, guard skills, and offensive creativity could create an entirely new archetype in the NBA - a center who can run an entire offense through pick-and-roll actions while maintaining the ability to score from all three levels. The foundation is already there with his court vision, ball-handling ability, and natural scoring touch. If the shooting develops to complement his playmaking skills, Queen could revolutionize how teams deploy their centers offensively.

- **Collin Murray-Boyles** (PF) - "He's a Robert Horry and Alex Caruso"

Collin Murray-Boyles doesn't fill up box scores with gaudy numbers—he fills them with the kind of winning plays that make championship teams possible. At 6'7.75" with a 7'0.75" wingspan and 239 pounds of muscle, Murray-Boyles operates like a defensive savant who can guard every position and make life miserable for opposing offenses.

The defensive impact is staggering. South Carolina was 12.1 points per 100 possessions better defensively with Murray-Boyles on the floor—one of the largest differentials in the nation. He averaged 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks while providing the kind of switchable defense that modern NBA teams crave. Murray-Boyles can smother point guards on the perimeter or bang with centers in the post, using his combination of strength, lateral quickness, and basketball IQ to make the right play every possession.

Offensively, Murray-Boyles is a post playmaking hub who makes smart decisions and finds open teammates from anywhere on the court. His 58.6% field goal percentage reflects a player who understands his role and executes it flawlessly. The major limitation is shooting—just 26.5% from three and a lack of consistent perimeter touch. But here's the thing about Murray-Boyles: championship teams don't care about limitations when a player does everything else at an elite level.

**Comp/Upside:** Robert Horry and Alex Caruso. The comparison perfectly captures Murray-Boyles' value as a winning player who impacts games beyond stats. Like Horry, he's an undersized forward with elite basketball IQ, defensive versatility, and clutch gene who makes teams better through effort and timely plays. The Caruso element shows in his relentless motor, defensive intensity, and ability to guard multiple positions while providing secondary playmaking. Both comparisons highlight players who became invaluable to championship teams despite not being primary scorers. Murray-Boyles has that same "glue guy" mentality with the physical tools (7'0.75" wingspan) and court awareness to impact winning at the highest level, even if his offensive limitations prevent him from being a star.