Cameron Boozer isn’t walking into the NBA blind, and he says Duke had a lot to do with that.
The former Blue Devil, who was taken third overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in last month’s NBA Draft, said his lone season in Durham gave him a real preview of what’s coming next. Boozer’s freshman year was as loud as they come: 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game while helping Duke finish 35-3 and reach the Elite Eight.
That production earned him All-American honors and Naismith College Player of the Year recognition, making him the second straight Duke freshman to win the award after Cooper Flagg in 2025.
At his introductory press conference last week, Boozer pointed to the level of competition and the nightly pressure at Duke as major reasons he feels ready for the jump.
“I think going to Duke really helped me prepare for this,” Boozer said. “You’re playing on one of the biggest stages in college basketball, if not the biggest stage.
You’re playing big games every night. You’re playing other top players every night.
And for me, I’ve been the best player on my team my whole life. So, not saying I’m going to come in and walk in and be the best player, but being a big-time player is not something that’s new to me.
And I think I’ve been very prepared for this challenge.”
Boozer’s freshman year also came with a noticeable leap in his game. With a heavier load of on-ball reps, his offensive package sharpened, and that growth is part of why he’s expected to get off to a fast start in the league.
He said his path through high school and college has left him confident as he gets ready for his rookie season.
“I think playing the high level I did in high school and going to college, playing at the highest level, I mean, I feel ready, you know, so we’ll see in a couple of months. But I’m super excited for sure,” he said.
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