Before the NCAA Tournament tipped off, CBS analysts Charles Barkley and Clark Kellogg hailed this freshman class as potentially the best ever. Leading the pack is Duke's standout, Cameron Boozer, who has already snagged the National Player of the Year award and unanimous first-team All-American honors.
However, Boozer isn't the clear-cut favorite for the top spot in this summer's NBA Draft. While Christopher Kline from FanSided ranks him as the top prospect, his mock draft predicts Boozer going third, behind BYU's AJ Dybantsa and Kansas' Darryn Peterson.
Boozer's defensive struggles were evident in Duke's nail-biting 71-65 win over Siena, where the Blue Devils had to claw back from a double-digit deficit. Siena's starters played the entire game, and if they hadn't run out of steam, Duke might have been the third No. 1 seed ever to fall to a 16-seed.
Cameron Boozer’s Defensive Concerns
Cameron Boozer is an offensive powerhouse, one of the most polished to enter the NBA in years, especially among freshmen. He's a versatile scorer, averaging 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, capable of fitting into any offensive scheme.
Boozer can handle all five positions offensively, from a towering point guard to a nimble stretch five. But at 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, his defense raises eyebrows, particularly because he lacks rim protection skills.
During the first half against Siena, the absence of Duke's starting center, Patrick Ngongba, was felt as Siena dominated inside, shooting 8-9 at the rim. Boozer's lack of vertical explosiveness means he avoids foul trouble by staying grounded, forcing opponents to shoot over him. It's a smart adaptation, but a limitation nonetheless.
Boozer isn't a natural fit at center or small forward. His strength helps him defend drives effectively, using his body like an offensive tackle to halt opponents' momentum. However, quicker wings can still exploit his lack of lateral quickness by pulling up for shots.
While Boozer excels in post defense, his overall defensive game is specialized. Any NBA team that drafts him will need to build around his defensive limitations. This isn't a concern with Dybantsa or Peterson and highlights why Duke needs Ngongba back for a deeper tournament run.
The Need for Ngongba’s Rim Protection
Ngongba’s presence is crucial for Boozer, providing the necessary rim protection that complements Boozer’s defensive style. Without Ngongba, Siena’s coach Gerry McNamara targeted Boozer in the paint, forcing Duke to switch to a zone defense to compensate for the lack of rim protection, even with ACC Defensive Player of the Year Maliq Brown stepping up.
If Ngongba returns, Duke's prospects against TCU and beyond look promising. However, Thursday’s shaky performance could be a focal point for NBA scouts, potentially impacting Boozer's draft position.