Paolo Banchero didn’t need long to spot what Memphis has in Cameron Boozer.
After the former Duke freshman phenoms met for the first time in the NBA during the Magic’s preseason opener against the Grizzlies, Banchero came away impressed with how Boozer carried himself. Orlando won the game, and both forwards made their presence felt in different ways.
Boozer finished with 16 PTS on 4/7 shots, hit 2/3 3P, grabbed 6 REB and handed out 2 AST while committing 2 TO. Banchero logged 11 PTS in 15 MIN, with most of his scoring coming at the line as he went 7/10 FT. He also added 5 AST against just 2 TO.
The Magic’s offense looked sharp in the win, connecting on 20/45 3PA as a team. The ball kept moving, and open looks followed, especially when Banchero had time to survey the floor and sling paint-and-spray kickouts.
Boozer, meanwhile, looked like a rookie who already understands how to help a team win. He made efficient decisions, played under control and kept making the right reads throughout the night.
At Magic Training Camp the next day, Banchero was asked about facing his fellow Blue Devil alumnus and didn’t hold back his approval.
Paolo Banchero on facing Rookie Cameron Boozer:“He looked pro ready, definitely composed.Thought he just played very good basketball, played within himself, took the right shots.Yeah, I think Memphis has something to be excited about with him.” pic.twitter.com/jblRgo261G
That poise showed up all over the floor. Boozer flashed his 3pt potential, attacked the glass and kept leaning into team-first basketball - the same mix of skills that made him such a sought-after name in the 2026 NBA Draft.
For Memphis, the hope is that those traits translate fast. With a roster built around young two-way talent, the Grizzlies could be better than expected, but Boozer’s development will go a long way toward determining how far that goes.
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The injury picture around the front line is still not fully settled, though. Isaiah Stewart is dealing with a moderate left ankle sprain and will be reevaluated in two weeks, leaving Memphis to keep tabs on his progress while it waits for more clarity on how the big-man group will look once the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]
Grizzlies Ended Up On The Wrong Side Of Caleb Wilsons Viral Night
Caleb Wilson made sure the preseason matchup in Memphis had a little extra buzz, even in a game the Grizzlies eventually won 104-100. The first-round pick for Chicago was one of the nights biggest draw, sharing the stage with fellow first-rounder Cameron Boozer and steadily taking over after halftime, when Wilson poured in 20 of his 21 points.
The sequence that traveled fastest on social media came when Wilson created separation on a made three after his defender went down, turning a routine preseason possession into the kind of clip that gets replayed immediately. Wilson then had a chance to tilt the game late with another three-point try in the final seconds, but it stayed out, leaving Memphis with the result and Wilson with a performance that was equal parts highlight reel and near-miss. [Read more 🡒]
Grizzlies New Core Already Has One All-Star Debate Taking Shape
The Grizzlies young core is already getting early All-Star scrutiny, and for good reason. Memphis has two front-line pieces in Cameron Boozer and Zach Edey drawing attention, with Boozer bringing the kind of rookie impact that quickly gets people talking and Edey continuing to build a case as one of the teams most important interior anchors. With the Western Conference looking a little thinner than usual, there is at least a plausible path for Memphis to turn promise into recognition sooner than expected.
Still, the race for those spots is crowded, and the NBAs new All-Star format only adds another layer to the debate. Edeys underlying performance numbers have been strong enough to keep him in the conversation, while Boozer has the buzz that often follows a player whose rise feels ahead of schedule. The question for Memphis is whether one of them can turn that momentum into a true league-wide breakthrough before the rest of the field closes the door. [Read more 🡒]