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Duke's Cameron Boozer Receives Strong Ranking on Rookie Ladder
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- Duke's Cameron Boozer Receives Strong Ranking on Rookie Ladder
Former Duke Blue Devils star Cameron Boozer is translating his game to the NBA, playing at a high level early in the 2026-27 season.
Boozer has played so well that NBA.com ranked him first on the rookie ladder. The 19-year-old has been a key piece for the Memphis Grizzlies , who have started the season 6-2, putting them among the top teams in the Western Conference.
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Boozer is averaging 16.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game, shooting 36.4 percent from the field, 36.7 percent from three, and 94.4 percent from the free-throw line. Boozer's efficiency hasn't been great, but he is impacting the game on both ends of the floor and helping the Grizzlies win games.
Boozer played one season with the Blue Devils before Memphis selected him with the third overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. He had a great season at Duke, winning the AP Player of the Year Award, averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, shooting 55.6 percent from the floor and 39.1 percent from deep.
He led the Blue Devils to a 35-3 record and the NCAA Tournament Regional Final, where they fell to the UConn Huskies .
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Although it was a disappointing end to a strong season, Boozer made his mark at Duke and is continuing to develop in his rookie campaign in the NBA.
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He has remained an all-around player and thrived as a rebounder. Boozer leads the Grizzlies in rebounds per game and is second in points and assists per game. His playmaking is an underrated aspect of his game that has helped Memphis get open looks.
If Boozer continues to play at this level and improves his efficiency, he will be among the top contenders to win the Rookie of the Year Award. He would be the second straight former Blue Devil to win the award, as Cooper Flagg was the Rookie of the Year in the 2025-26 season.
Flagg played at a high level, averaging 21 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 29.5 percent from beyond the arc. He beat out another former Duke star, Kon Knueppel, to win the award.
The Blue Devils have developed elite talent over the years, and Boozer is one of the latest, having found instant success in the NBA. Duke will hope Boozer can win the Rookie of the Year Award, joining Flagg, Paolo Banchero, Kyrie Irving, Elton Brand, and Grant Hill as other former Blue Devils to win the award.
