Gatorade Player of the Year Cameron Boozer Says Duke Basketball Being Overlooked Won’t Last Once the Season Tips Off
Cameron Boozer isn’t afraid to speak his mind. The reigning Gatorade National Player of the Year, son of Duke legend Carlos Boozer, and one of the most highly regarded high school basketball players in the country, believes the college basketball world is making a mistake by sleeping on the Duke Blue Devils heading into the 2025–26 season. While national attention has swirled around other programs boasting transfer-laden rosters or returning All-Americans, Boozer sees something brewing in Durham — and he’s confident it’s being underestimated.
As one of the top recruits in the country and a player expected to make an immediate impact the moment he steps foot in Cameron Indoor Stadium, Boozer’s words carry weight. More than just a future Blue Devil, he represents the new era of Duke basketball under head coach Jon Scheyer — an era built on the balance of tradition, talent, and quiet confidence. Boozer’s belief in the program isn’t just lip service or familial loyalty. It’s rooted in what he’s seen firsthand: the work ethic, the commitment to development, and the hunger within a young, rising Duke team to prove doubters wrong.
Duke enters the 2025–26 season in an unusual position — at least by its own lofty standards. With multiple key departures to the NBA, including former stars like Kyle Filipowski, Jeremy Roach, and Mark Mitchell, the Blue Devils have seen a generational shift in leadership. For some national pundits, that transition has pushed Duke down preseason rankings. Programs like Kansas, Arizona, and Houston are getting more early-season buzz, particularly due to experienced rosters and high-profile transfers. But Boozer, who’s never shied away from the spotlight, views that as fuel — not a setback.
“I see it all,” Boozer said during a summer media event. “The rankings, the predictions, the people saying Duke isn’t built for a title run this year. They’re wrong. We’re coming. And when the season starts, nobody’s going to be ignoring us anymore.”
That kind of edge, especially coming from a high school senior, speaks volumes. But Boozer isn’t just anyone. At 6-foot-9, with advanced footwork, three-level scoring ability, elite rebounding instincts, and a basketball IQ well beyond his years, Boozer is a generational talent. Some scouts have called him the most complete power forward prospect since Anthony Davis, while others liken his composure and physicality to a young Chris Bosh. That kind of skill set combined with a legacy name — especially one so closely tied to Duke — makes Boozer’s arrival one of the most anticipated moments of the upcoming season.
What makes his confidence so compelling, though, is that it’s grounded in team-first thinking. Boozer doesn’t just hype up his own talent — he speaks glowingly about the group already in Durham. He’s already spent time getting to know players like Isaiah Evans, who returned for a second season instead of jumping to the NBA, and he’s in regular contact with incoming freshman teammates and returning players alike. According to Boozer, the connection is real, and the buy-in is universal.
“Everyone’s locked in,” he said. “Guys stayed who could’ve gone pro. That tells you everything. They believe in Coach Scheyer, and they believe in each other. It’s not about who gets the headlines. It’s about winning. That’s Duke.”
Indeed, one of the reasons Duke is being slightly overlooked nationally is due to the perceived lack of star power following their recent NBA Draft departures. But those inside the program — and those like Boozer who’ve committed to it — know better. Evans is poised to make a major leap in his sophomore season. Fellow recruits coming in alongside Boozer form one of the deepest and most versatile classes in the nation. And the player development structure under Scheyer continues to earn praise from analysts and NBA scouts alike.
Scheyer, entering his fourth season at the helm, has been deliberate about shaping Duke’s identity post-Krzyzewski. The Blue Devils still pursue elite talent, but they’ve also become more strategic, seeking players who embrace the program’s values — toughness, versatility, maturity, and team-first basketball. Boozer fits that mold perfectly, despite being one of the biggest names in the country.
What separates Boozer from many other top-ranked prospects is his professional approach. He trains like a college player already, studies film relentlessly, and embraces accountability. Insiders say he often challenges teammates in practice, not with ego, but with intention — pushing everyone to elevate their game. He’s aware of the Boozer name and the shadow it casts, but rather than feeling burdened by legacy, he embraces it. His father, Carlos, was part of Duke’s 2001 national championship team and still holds deep ties to the program.
“My dad’s been through it,” Boozer said. “He knows what it takes to win at Duke and in the league. He’s helped me understand how to handle pressure, how to stay grounded, and how to trust the work. But this is my path now. I’m not trying to be the next Carlos Boozer — I’m trying to be the first Cameron Boozer.”
As far as the college basketball world goes, they’re about to find out what that looks like. Boozer’s confidence isn’t the hollow kind. He’s been dominating high school and international competition for years, and his game translates cleanly to the college level. He doesn’t force shots. He rebounds aggressively. He communicates on defense. He moves without the ball. And he leads — vocally and by example.
In practices and training sessions, Duke’s staff is already buzzing about how seamlessly he’s integrating into the system. Boozer doesn’t need to be the center of attention to make an impact — a rare trait in players with his accolades. He’s the type of player who can finish with 20 points and 10 rebounds, but be more proud of locking down a stretch four or making a pivotal help rotation.
With Boozer leading the charge and a hungry core around him, the Blue Devils have all the ingredients of a sleeper powerhouse. They’re younger, yes, but they’re loaded with length, speed, and positional versatility. They can switch defensively, run in transition, and stretch the floor with multiple shooters. And perhaps most importantly — they’re not being hailed as invincible. That shift in perception may be Duke’s greatest weapon.
“People forgot,” Boozer said with a smirk. “They forgot what this place is about. That’s cool. We’ll remind them.”
That quiet fire is spreading. Duke’s summer workouts have reportedly been among the most intense in recent years. Coaches rave about the competition level in practice. Veterans are embracing the leadership mantle, and freshmen like Boozer are walking in not just with talent, but with humility and hunger.
Coach Scheyer, for his part, isn’t focused on outside noise. But he does appreciate the edge his team is bringing to the gym each day.
“I love this group,” Scheyer said during a recent offseason media availability. “We have guys who want to prove something. Not for headlines, but for each other. That’s when Duke basketball is at its best.”
It’s hard to argue. Historically, Duke teams that enter seasons with something to prove — think 2010, 2001, or even 2015 — often peak at the right time. The Blue Devils don’t need to be preseason No. 1 to finish the season cutting down nets. With players like Cameron Boozer leading the charge, they just need opportunity and belief.
Both are in ample supply now. And as Boozer prepares to make his college debut in front of a sold-out Cameron Indoor Stadium, he’s not worried about the noise — or the lack of it.
“They can doubt us now,” Boozer said. “But they won’t be quiet for long. Just wait until the season starts. Then everybody’s going to remember who we are.”
And when they do, it won’t just be a reminder of Duke’s legacy — it will be the arrival of a new chapter, headlined by a player ready to add his own name to the history books.
