Cameron Boozer doesn’t need a box score explosion to leave his mark. That’s been the early lesson in Las Vegas, where the former Duke star is already showing the kind of feel that makes him look far older than 18.
On Friday night, all eyes were on Boozer’s Summer League debut against former UNC standout Caleb Wilson. Wilson stole plenty of the attention with 35 points and seven made three-pointers, matching his total from his lone season in Chapel Hill. But Memphis walked away with the win, and Boozer was a big reason why.
He finished with 23 points, six rebounds and four assists on 7-of-12 shooting, all while logging six fewer minutes than Wilson. He also delivered a sharp little reminder of what life in the NBA can look like, stripping Wilson in the backcourt and turning it into an easy dunk.
The best snapshot of Boozer’s night came from teammate Cedric Coward, who put it plainly after the game: "I can't believe he's 18. I'm glad he's on my team," Coward said after the game.
That line gets to the heart of why Boozer has people buzzing already. He’s still 18, six months younger than AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, and a full year younger than Wilson. Yet when those names have matched up, Boozer has usually been the one walking off with the edge.
Friday carried extra meaning because Wilson got the better of him in their lone college meeting. Boozer posted the stronger statistical line in that game, but Wilson’s Tar Heels stunned the Blue Devils in Chapel Hill.
This time, the script flipped in Las Vegas. Wilson had the bigger counting numbers, but Boozer did what Memphis needed to secure the victory.
And while the Summer League always comes with the usual caution label, the early signs are hard to ignore. Boozer has looked every bit like a future NBA star, and so have Wilson, Dybantsa and Peterson. The hype around this class is real, and it’s showing up right away.
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One of the names worth watching is Jayden Moore, a redshirt sophomore who is expected to take on a much bigger role this fall. Moore has the kind of profile that can quietly matter in a passing game, and Duke may be setting him up for a real opportunity on the outside as it tries to find the right mix around its returning pieces. [Read more 🡒]