2026 NBA Draft Profile

Overview
Cameron Boozer became the youngest player ever named Gatorade National Player of the Year at 15 years old, a distinction he claimed twice before graduating from Christopher Columbus High School in Miami. He won a state championship as a sophomore, averaging 21.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.0 blocks per game, collected three consecutive Florida Mr. Basketball awards, earned Mr. Basketball USA honors twice and led Team USA to gold at the 2023 FIBA U16 Americas Championship and the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup, winning MVP at both events. A consensus five-star recruit, Boozer committed to Duke alongside his twin brother Cayden. As a freshman he averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.4 steals in 33.5 minutes per game on 55.6%/39.1%/78.9% shooting splits across 38 starts. He was named AP National Player of the Year, becoming just the fifth freshman to win the award, and swept the Karl Malone, Pete Newell and Lute Olson awards while earning ACC Player of the Year, ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Tournament MVP. Duke’s season ended in a 73-72 Elite Eight loss to UConn.

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Analysis
Boozer’s passing is what separates him from every other big in this class, reading the floor like a point guard. He was efficient as a scorer on high volume, and his ability to draw fouls allowed him to put the ball in the hoop with consistency. At 6’9″ and 250 pounds, he bullies smaller defenders on the block and uses footwork rather than vertical explosion to finish through contact. His three-point shot is functional and improving. He connected at a strong clip from above the break, mostly as a stationary catch-and-shoot threat. Defensively, his strong and athletic frame, combined with active hands, allow him to contain ballhandlers and generate deflections. He has a high defensive IQ and rarely fouls, a combination that should let him slot into multiple schemes at the next level.

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Projection
Boozer projects as an offensive hub from Day 1, with his combination of post scoring, perimeter shooting, and high-level playmaking from the forward/center position. In terms of NBA comparisons, there are shades of an Alperen Sengun and early-career Kevin Love to his game. His ceiling is the best player in this draft class and a perennial All-Star who anchors winning basketball.

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Career Highlights

• 2025-26 consensus National College Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year.
• 2025-26 unanimous AP All-America First Team selection.
• 2025-26 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year.
• 2025-26 ACC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year.
• Gold medalist with USA Basketball and MVP at the 2023 FIBA Americas U16 Championship and 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup.

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Freshman (2025-26)

• Led Duke in scoring (22.5 ppg), rebounding (10.2 rpg) and assists (4.1 apg).
• Shot 55.6% from the field and 39.3% from three-point range.
• Tied for the national lead with 22 double-doubles.
• Set Duke freshman records for rebounds (389) and free throws made (221).
• First player to sweep NABC Player of the Year, Big Man of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors in the same season.

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Strengths

• Strong, skilled forward with an elite feel for the game.
• Versatile scorer with polished footwork and great touch.
• Advanced passer and playmaker; quick processor.
• Physical, dominant rebounder with a relentless motor.

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Personal

• Son of two-time NBA All-Star and 2001 Duke national champion Carlos Boozer.
• Played with his twin brother, Cayden, at Duke and Christopher Columbus High School.
• Cameron and Cayden were conceived via IVF as bone-marrow matches to help save the life of their older brother, Carmani.

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Go Figure

Boozer became the first freshman or sophomore to average at least 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in a season since Larry Bird (1976-77).

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Quotable

“He is all about his teammates. He is not about numbers. He is about winning. I think when your best player is that way, it becomes contagious, and it has a big effect on the rest of the group.”
— Duke head coach Jon Scheyer

 

— Profile by RotoWire.com with additional info from the official NBA Draft Media Guide