The Duke Blue Devils’ dominant season has featured another story of phenoms making headlines every week, but the special storyline for one former Blue Devil star is for sure is quite overwhelming. More than two decades after winning a national championship in Durham, Carlos Boozer is now watching his twin sons represent the same program he once helped lead to glory.
Carlos Boozer Gets Emotional Watching Sons Cameron and Cayden Play for Duke vs UNC
Ahead of Duke’s rivalry clash with the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium, the former NBA All-Star spoke emotionally about the experience during an appearance on College GameDay, reflecting on what it means to see the current Duke stars Cameron and Cayden Boozer wearing the same jersey he once did.
Speaking with former Duke teammate Jason Williams before the high-powered matchup against the Tar Heels, which ended with 76-61 on the scoreboard after the final whistle, with Duke claiming the rivalry game.
However, for Carlos Boozer, it was indeed a moment of true bliss, as he describes the pride he feels every time he watches his sons take the floor for the Blue Devils.
“I just get the chills,” Carlos Boozer said. “Every single game, I get the chills, man. Just seeing my boys out there wearing that jersey that we wore 25 years ago and having great success, but competing, playing the game they love to play. For me, it’s been a dream come true this year.”
For longtime Duke fans, the moment carries a sense of full-circle nostalgia. Boozer was a key part of Mike Krzyzewski’s 2001 national championship team before going on to a lengthy NBA career. Now, the spotlight has shifted to his sons, who have quickly become important pieces for one of the best teams in college basketball.
While both freshmen have contributed massively to their program this season, Cameron Boozer has emerged as the centerpiece of Duke’s roster. The forward leads the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 22.7 points and 10.2 boards per game while also topping the roster in assists and minutes played.
On the other hand, Cayden Boozer hasn’t been as exceptional as his brother Cameron, but he has surely carved out his own role as well. The guard is averaging 6.5 points and 2.0 assists in just over 20 minutes per game while shooting 50 percent from the field, giving Duke valuable depth in the backcourt.
Speaking about the experience of playing high-pressure games with his brother, Cameron recently explained that those moments have helped them prepare for Duke’s demanding schedule.
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“We’ve been in a lot of big-time games, a lot of close games, against a lot of highly ranked teams or talked-about teams,” Cameron Boozer said, via ESPN. “So I feel like just being in a lot of those moments prepares you for this.”
For Carlos Boozer, the journey is still unfolding. Watching his sons thrive in Durham has already created unforgettable moments, but if Duke can translate its dominance into a deep postseason run, the Boozer family story could add another historic chapter this spring.
