Duke has found its March point guard hero in Cayden Boozer. The Blue Devils' impressive run to the ACC title in Charlotte was nothing short of remarkable.
Despite missing key starters Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba II, Duke leaned heavily on a seven-man rotation to secure three victories in as many days. While many questions about their depth and late-game strategies were answered, Boozer emerged as the standout discovery of the weekend.
Throughout a season dominated by stories about his twin brother, Boozer showcased his scoring and playmaking prowess, earning All-Tournament Second-Team honors as Duke celebrated their triumph.
Head coach Jon Scheyer praised Boozer’s performance: “Cayden just completely put us on his back in that first half. Running the show, scoring, defending, doing everything - playing 40 minutes against Virginia's relentless press was incredible.”
While his brother took home MVP honors for the tournament, Boozer reminded everyone why he was a crucial part of his high school’s multiple championship wins. Cameron Boozer, his brother, expressed his pride: “I love that he had a big-time weekend. It’s going to boost his confidence going forward.”
However, the weekend wasn’t without its challenges. In Thursday’s matchup, Florida State bet on Boozer’s inability to hit from outside, which worked to their advantage.
Boozer struggled, finishing with more fouls than points and an 0-for-5 record from beyond the arc. This allowed the No. 8-seed to almost topple the champs.
Reflecting on the game, Boozer said, “They didn’t really guard me, and I never wanted to have that feeling again.”
Duke needed Boozer to bounce back, and he did just that by playing the entire 40 minutes in the title game - a first for any Blue Devil this season. He orchestrated the offense with precision, committing only two turnovers while tying his career-high with 16 points. Boozer's shooting was on point, hitting from all areas of the court and proving that Florida State’s scouting report missed the mark.
“I think I got my swagger back,” Boozer said. “Having a moment like this in March is really important for me.”
Virginia’s center, Ugonna Onyenso, put on a defensive clinic with a tournament-record nine blocks, but Boozer’s body control allowed him to finish creatively at the rim. Despite Virginia’s attempts to exploit Duke’s lack of depth, Boozer held strong against constant defensive pressure.
The young guard admitted feeling the fatigue post-game but showed no signs of slowing down during play. His hustle on a second-chance bucket epitomized his relentless effort.
“I think playing as hard as I can for those 40 minutes is crucial for our team,” Boozer noted. “I’m really proud of all our guys for stepping up.”
While Duke eagerly anticipates Foster’s return, he’s been a guiding mentor for Boozer. “He’s been like a big brother to me,” Boozer said, highlighting the supportive team environment.
Teammates Maliq Brown and Dame Sarr echoed their confidence in Boozer. “We knew he was capable,” Brown said. “He’s our PG1, and we trust him completely,” Sarr added.
With performances like this, Boozer has cemented his role as a key player for Duke, and the belief in him is stronger than ever.