The energy inside Cameron Indoor was unmistakable. With the No.
4 Duke Blue Devils holding a narrow five-point edge over No. 20 Clemson at the break, the ACC showdown was shaping up to be a nail-biter.
But then came the second half-and with it, a Blue Devil surge that felt like a statement.
At the heart of it all? Cameron Boozer.
The freshman phenom didn’t just play well-he took over. Alongside his twin brother, Cayden, the Boozer brothers ignited Duke’s offense and sent the home crowd into a frenzy.
And they weren’t the only ones fired up.
Sitting courtside were three familiar faces who know a thing or two about putting on a show in Durham: Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, and Tyrese Proctor. All three were key pieces of last season’s Duke squad and were selected in the 2025 NBA Draft.
On this night, they were back in the building-cheering, clapping, and celebrating like proud older brothers. When Cam threw down a thunderous dunk midway through the second half, the trio couldn’t contain their excitement.
Flagg, in particular, looked every bit the fan as he leapt to his feet in celebration.
With just over eight minutes left on the clock, Duke had stretched its lead to 17. Cam Boozer had already filled up the stat sheet: 16 points, six boards, four assists, two steals, and a block. It was the kind of all-around performance that reminds you why he's projected as a top-three pick in this year’s NBA Draft.
But don’t sleep on Cayden. Coming off the bench, he chipped in 10 points of his own, along with three assists and a rebound.
His role may not be as headline-grabbing as his brother’s, but his impact is undeniable. He’s the kind of player who keeps the offense humming and the energy high-exactly what you want from a high-level rotation guy in March.
The presence of Flagg, Maluach, and Proctor was more than just a nostalgic moment. It was a reminder of the continuity and culture that Duke has built-one where top-tier talent not only thrives but comes back to support the next wave.
Last season, those three were the nucleus of a dominant Blue Devils squad. Now, the torch has been passed to the Boozers, and they’re running with it.
And while Cam is grabbing national headlines, it’s worth noting that the Duke pipeline to the pros is still going strong. Flagg is currently in the thick of the NBA Rookie of the Year race, going toe-to-toe with another former Blue Devil, Kon Knueppel. That’s the kind of alumni impact that speaks volumes about what’s happening in Durham.
With the NBA on pause for the All-Star break-where Flagg would’ve been making his debut if not for an untimely injury-it wouldn’t be surprising to see even more Duke legends show up to catch a glimpse of the Boozer-led Blue Devils. The brotherhood is alive and well, and on nights like this, it’s thriving in full view.
Cameron Indoor has seen its share of stars. But with the Boozer twins lighting it up and the next generation of pros watching from the sidelines, it’s clear: the present is electric, and the future is just as bright.