NCAA Analyst Explains Why Cameron Boozer Should Undoubtedly Be the No. 1 Overall Pick in Upcoming NBA Draft Class

The debate surrounding the top pick in any NBA Draft is often steeped in speculation, preferences, and stylistic matchups. But every now and then, a prospect emerges who forces consensus—someone so polished, so dominant, and so mature beyond his years that the choice feels less like a gamble and more like destiny. Enter Cameron Boozer.

At just 17 years old, Boozer is already being talked about in generational terms. The son of two-time NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, Cameron has built a resume that reads more like that of a pro than a high school athlete. From dominating elite competition on the EYBL circuit to leading his high school team to national recognition, Boozer’s game is evolving rapidly—and the NCAA’s top analysts are beginning to speak with one voice. According to respected NCAA analyst and former Division I coach Darren Cartwright, there should be no question: “If you’re picking No. 1 and you don’t take Cameron Boozer, you’re doing it wrong.”

Cartwright’s declaration, made during a recent segment on ESPN’s “Next Gen Prospects,” has ignited serious buzz in both college and pro circles. While there are always a handful of highly regarded players in each draft cycle—some who dazzle with athleticism, others who captivate with creativity—it’s Boozer’s complete package that sets him apart.

“Cameron is 6-foot-9, already has an NBA-ready body, and plays with the poise of a fourth-year college senior,” Cartwright said. “He can shoot from midrange, step out beyond the arc, back defenders down in the post, and pass out of double teams with a level of vision you usually only see in point guards. He’s the future face of a franchise, period.”

That’s high praise, especially when placed in the context of a 2026 NBA Draft class projected to be loaded with talent. But the data—and the eye test—support the argument. Boozer averaged 22.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game in his junior season at Columbus High School in Miami. He did so while shooting over 58 percent from the field and close to 38 percent from three-point range. Against the best prep competition in the country, Boozer consistently made the game look easy.

“He’s the rare kind of player who affects every single possession on both ends of the floor,” Cartwright added. “If he doesn’t score, he’ll rebound. If he doesn’t rebound, he’ll get a deflection or draw a foul. And then on the other end, you see him switching onto guards and moving laterally like he’s 6-4. It’s just not fair.”

Perhaps what impresses scouts and analysts most, however, is Boozer’s basketball IQ. Much like his father, Cameron understands spacing, timing, and how to manipulate defenses. Unlike Carlos, though, Cameron plays with a level of perimeter fluidity that resembles the modern NBA hybrid forward—a blend of Jayson Tatum’s finesse and Bam Adebayo’s interior grit.

What’s also compelling is Boozer’s leadership acumen. He’s been the emotional anchor for a Columbus team that’s seen its national ranking skyrocket. And while others might be enamored with the spotlight, Boozer seems to shrink from attention, redirecting credit to teammates and coaches in every postgame interview.

“Cameron has the attitude of a grinder,” Cartwright noted. “He shows up early, stays late, talks like a veteran, and treats people with respect. Coaches in both college and the pros have already taken notice. You’re not just getting talent. You’re getting culture.”

That culture extends to the Boozer family itself. Cameron’s twin brother, Cayden, is also an elite prospect, and the duo has been inseparable on the court. Their chemistry is second nature—an intuitive synergy built over years of backyard battles and shared dreams. But even among the twin phenoms, Cameron’s star burns the brightest.

In the summer circuits and elite prospect camps, Boozer has gone toe-to-toe with—and often dominated—other players projected to be lottery picks. One scout recalled a game at the NBAPA Top 100 Camp where Boozer posted a quiet 24-point, 12-rebound double-double, doing so within the rhythm of the offense without ever forcing a shot.

“It was surgical,” said NBA scout Ricardo Mendes. “He picked his spots, read every help defender like a book, and when they tried to trap him, he hit the open man without flinching. He’s years ahead in how he sees the game.”

With the name recognition, statistics, physical tools, and basketball maturity already in place, Boozer has positioned himself as the surest bet at No. 1. Still, he’s not resting on accolades. In interviews, he’s repeatedly said his focus is on improving every aspect of his game. He’s currently working to add more off-the-dribble creation to his offensive arsenal, along with polishing his pick-and-roll reads and rim protection timing.

It’s that hunger that impresses coaches the most. “He’s got this rare combination of confidence and humility,” Cartwright said. “He knows he’s good, but he doesn’t act like it. You don’t see ego—just effort.”

The NBA has shifted dramatically over the last decade, favoring players who can adapt to multiple roles and contribute across the board. In this sense, Boozer is perfectly tailored for the modern game. He can initiate offense as a secondary playmaker, space the floor as a shooter, set hard screens and roll to the rim, or serve as the focal point in a motion offense. Defensively, he’s mobile enough to switch onto wings and tough enough to handle post assignments.

“It’s like you’re building a player in a lab and you say, ‘Okay, I want someone with size, skill, smarts, and character,’” Cartwright mused. “The result is Cameron Boozer.”

Even NBA stars have taken notice. LeBron James recently shared a highlight clip of Boozer on social media, calling him “a young killer” and adding flame emojis for good measure. Dwyane Wade, a fellow Miami native, has praised the Boozer family for raising “not just hoopers, but leaders.” Such endorsements only bolster Boozer’s draft profile, though they likely aren’t needed at this point.

Of course, anything can happen between now and draft day. Injuries, team needs, or the rise of a late-blooming phenom can shift projections. But barring the unexpected, Cameron Boozer’s path to becoming the No. 1 overall pick feels preordained.

“He’s the kind of guy you build a team around,” Cartwright said in closing. “You don’t draft him to fit into a system—you draft him, and then you build the system around him. That’s what No. 1 picks are supposed to be.”

For now, Boozer remains laser-focused on the present—winning a high school national title, continuing to grow with his twin brother, and staying grounded. But the basketball world is watching, and the verdict from NCAA analysts is already loud and clear: Cameron Boozer is next. And when the NBA Draft clock starts ticking, don’t be surprised if the team with the top pick wastes no time in saying his name first.