The Toronto Raptors are sending not one, but two rookies to the NBA’s Rising Stars game during All-Star Weekend - and both have earned every bit of the spotlight.
The league announced that Collin Murray-Boyles and Alijah Martin will represent the Raptors in this year’s Castrol Rising Stars showcase. For Martin, the moment is especially historic - he becomes the first player in Raptors 905 history to be selected for the event, a major nod to the development pipeline the organization has been building.
Let’s start with Murray-Boyles, who’s been turning heads since stepping into the rotation. With Jakob Poeltl sidelined, the rookie big man has stepped up in a starting role and hasn’t looked back.
His chemistry with Scottie Barnes on the defensive end has been a revelation - the two have quietly formed one of the more disruptive frontcourt tandems in the league. Through 37 games, Murray-Boyles is putting up 7.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.
He’s also ranked top 10 among rookies in rebounds, steals, blocks, and field goal percentage - a well-rounded stat line that speaks to his versatility and poise.
What’s impressed most, though, is how mature his game looks for a first-year player. Offensively, he’s already showing the toolkit of a modern big: he sets solid screens, runs handoffs, works out of delay actions, and can knock down the occasional jumper.
He’s not a primary option - and in this Raptors offense, he’s not expected to be - but when he gets touches, he makes them count. He’s shown flashes as a passer, too, often making the right read under pressure.
The one area still developing? Driving.
The Raptors’ system doesn’t exactly run through him, so his chances to attack off the dribble are limited. But when he does put the ball on the floor, he’s getting into the paint and finishing at a decent clip.
The efficiency on those drives takes a hit when you factor in the passes he kicks out - Toronto’s perimeter shooting has been ice-cold in recent games, including a stretch where they went 0-for-7 on wide-open threes off his drive-and-kicks. That’s not on him.
The reads are there. The shots just haven’t fallen - yet.
Then there’s Alijah Martin, the 39th overall pick in this year’s draft, who’s been lighting it up with Raptors 905. In just 14 G League games, Martin is averaging 18.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists - numbers that have not only turned heads, but earned him a call-up. He made the most of that opportunity with a breakout performance in an overtime win over the Sixers, showcasing the kind of scoring punch and confidence that could make him a long-term piece in Toronto’s backcourt.
Martin will be part of the NBA G League squad in the Rising Stars game - a relatively new addition to the format that continues to shine a light on emerging talent from the league’s developmental system. His selection is a testament to both his individual growth and the work being done at Raptors 905 to prepare players for the next level.
Notably absent from the Rising Stars roster is sophomore point guard Jamal Shead, who many expected to be in the mix. While he’s had solid moments this season, the league opted to go in a different direction for this year’s showcase.
The Rising Stars draft takes place tomorrow night at 7 p.m. ET, with honorary coaches Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady set to select their squads from the pool of 21 NBA rookies and sophomores.
Austin Rivers will coach the G League team. The game itself is scheduled for Friday, February 13, as part of a packed All-Star Weekend lineup.
For the Raptors, this is more than just a midseason accolade - it’s a sign that their young core is developing on schedule. With Murray-Boyles holding down the paint and Martin making waves from the G League to the big stage, Toronto’s future is quietly building momentum.