Duke basketball is off to a roaring start this season, and at 9-0, the Blue Devils are doing more than just winning-they’re making statements. With marquee victories over Florida, Arkansas, Kansas, and Texas already in the books, Duke hasn’t just checked the boxes on its early-season schedule. It’s dominated both ends of the floor, and a big reason why is freshman phenom Cameron Boozer.
Through nine games, Boozer is averaging 22.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per contest. Those aren’t just good numbers for a freshman-they’re elite numbers, period. He’s been the engine behind Duke’s early-season surge, and his presence has elevated the Blue Devils into the national spotlight.
Boozer’s impact has been so significant that he’s already being talked about as a frontrunner for the National Player of the Year award. That’s right-not just Freshman of the Year.
Player of the Year. And if he pulls it off, he’d become the second straight Duke freshman to do it, following Cooper Flagg’s historic campaign last season.
That kind of back-to-back freshman dominance would be unprecedented, even for a program with Duke’s pedigree.
But Boozer’s next big challenge comes this week against Florida-a matchup that’s as much a test of his on-court skills as it is a measuring stick for how he handles pressure and expectations. So far, he’s passed every test with flying colors.
Still, as dominant as Boozer has been, the conversation around the 2026 NBA Draft is far from settled. There’s no question he’s playing like a top pick, but some evaluators remain split on whether he’s the No. 1 prospect in the class. His name has been floated near the top of mock drafts, but not always in the pole position.
Some scouts raised early concerns about Boozer’s athleticism and touch, but those doubts didn’t last long. After bouncing back with big-time performances against Howard and a ranked Arkansas squad, Boozer reminded everyone why he’s one of the most statistically dominant freshmen we’ve seen in recent memory.
He’s also a seamless fit in just about any NBA system, which is part of what makes him so intriguing. In one recent projection, Boozer was slotted second overall to the Indiana Pacers-a team that could use his high-IQ, frontcourt versatility alongside Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, especially after losing Myles Turner in the offseason.
That said, the race for No. 1 is tight. Darryn Peterson is another name gaining traction, and depending on a team’s needs, he could very well leapfrog Boozer on draft night.
It’s not necessarily a knock on Boozer-it’s just the nature of the draft. Fit, upside, and positional value all play a role.
Right now, though, it’s hard to argue that anyone in college basketball-freshman or otherwise-is playing better than Cameron Boozer. Whether or not he ends up as the top pick in 2026, he’s making a serious case as the best player in the country today. And if he keeps this up, Duke’s ceiling this season might be even higher than we thought.