Cameron Boozer is doing more than just living up to the hype - he’s rewriting the blueprint for what a freshman forward can be in college basketball.
Coming into the 2025-26 season, the Duke Blue Devils knew they had something special in Boozer. The buzz was loud - best NBA prospect in the country kind of loud - and nearly two months in, he’s doing everything to back that up, and then some.
Boozer isn’t just putting up big numbers - he’s leading the nation in scoring at 23.3 points per game while adding 10 rebounds, four assists, and nearly two steals a night. That’s not just production; that’s versatility at a level we haven’t seen in decades.
In fact, he’s on pace to become the first player since Ron Harper in the 1985-86 season to average at least 23 points, 10 boards, and four assists over a full year. That’s 40 years of college basketball history he’s threatening to rewrite - and he’s still just getting started.
What’s separating Boozer from other top prospects isn’t just the raw numbers - it’s how he’s getting them. He’s scoring in every way imaginable: bullying defenders in the post, finishing through contact, hitting from mid-range, and stretching the floor just enough with a respectable three-point shot.
At 56.7% from the field, he’s doing all this with elite efficiency. He’s also knocking down 33.3% of his threes and hitting 76.7% from the line - a solid foundation that suggests even more upside as a shooter.
And it’s not just the media taking notice. NBA scouts and execs are watching closely, and they’re seeing a player who’s not only physically dominant, but mentally mature beyond his years.
Boozer plays with the poise of someone who’s been around the game his whole life - not surprising considering his father, Carlos Boozer, spent 13 years in the league. That pedigree shows up in the way Cameron reads the floor, understands spacing, and stays composed under pressure.
He’s already posted six double-doubles in his first 12 games, and his impact on Duke’s 11-1 start has been undeniable. He’s had two 35-point games - one against Indiana State and another against Arkansas - and pulled down a season-high 15 rebounds in a win over Michigan State. These aren’t empty stats; they’re coming in big moments against serious competition.
Now, is Boozer a lockdown defender? Not quite.
But he’s far from a liability on that end. He’s active, he competes, and he understands team concepts well enough to hold his own.
And when you’re carrying this much offensive load, that’s more than enough for now.
Duke did suffer its first loss of the season last weekend against Texas Tech, but the Blue Devils are still in a strong position heading into ACC play, which kicks off against Georgia Tech on New Year’s Eve. With Boozer leading the charge, Duke has a legitimate shot to make serious noise not just in the conference, but deep into March.
Right now, there’s no question - Boozer isn’t just the top freshman in the country. He’s the frontrunner for the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. And if he keeps this up, he might be putting together one of the most complete freshman seasons we’ve seen in modern college hoops.