Cameron Boozer Keeps Rising - But Is No. 3 His Ceiling in the 2026 NBA Draft?
Cameron Boozer’s freshman season at Duke has been nothing short of impressive, and NBA scouts are taking notice. The 6-foot-9 forward has climbed steadily up draft boards, and while he’s widely projected to go No. 3 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, the conversation around him is heating up for all the right reasons.
What makes Boozer such a compelling prospect isn’t just his size or athleticism-it’s how polished his game already looks at the college level. Multiple scouts have labeled him one of the most NBA-ready players in this class, and it’s easy to see why. He’s not just putting up numbers-he’s doing it with a level of maturity and poise that suggests he could step into an NBA rotation from day one.
According to league insiders, Boozer has solidified himself as a future frontcourt starter. He’s being talked about in the same breath as Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa, but what separates Boozer is his feel for the game.
He’s a post scorer with touch, but he’s also a connector-someone who can keep the offense flowing when the ball moves through him. That combination is rare, especially for a player this young.
At Duke, Jon Scheyer has leaned into Boozer’s versatility. He’s not just a low-post bruiser-he’s been used as a scoring threat and a playmaker.
When Boozer gets the ball on the block, he’s shown he can finish through contact, but if the double-team comes, he’s capable of making the right read and finding the open man. Outside of his debut, he’s consistently made smart decisions under pressure, and that’s a skill that’ll translate well to the next level.
In the NBA, Boozer may not see as many doubles early on, simply because of how differently defenses operate at the pro level. But if he continues to score the way he has in college, that could change quickly. Teams will have no choice but to adjust.
His recent performances have only strengthened his case. Against Stanford, Boozer dropped 30 points and grabbed 14 boards, showing off his ability to dominate both ends of the floor. Then came a 32-point, nine-rebound outing against Wake Forest-another statement game in a season full of them.
From a production standpoint, Boozer has been as good as anyone in the country. He’s playing at a Wooden Award level, and while he might not be the consensus No. 1 or No. 2 prospect in this class, that doesn’t take away from what he’s doing on the court.
Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa have been phenomenal, no doubt. But Boozer’s consistency, IQ, and physical readiness make him a player NBA teams can build around.
So while the latest projections have him slotted at No. 3, don’t be surprised if the conversation shifts as draft day approaches. Cameron Boozer isn’t just rising-he’s arriving.