Duke freshman Cameron Boozer played a key role in leading the Blue Devils to the No. 1 ranking entering the conference tournament, along with a 29-2 record and the ACC regular-season title. His outstanding performance has positioned him as a strong favorite to claim nearly every major award he is eligible for.
Cameron Boozer’s Incredible Season at Duke Ends With Well-Deserved Top Honor
Duke wrapped up the regular season on an eight-game winning streak, with Boozer capping the stretch by sweeping the weekly honors as both ACC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. He became the 20th Duke player to win ACC POY and the 16th to claim ACC ROY title.
Boozer is now the fifth player in ACC history to secure both awards in the same season, joining former Duke stars Cooper Flagg, Zion Williamson, Marvin Bagley III, and Jahlil Okafor. The freshman was also named to the All-ACC First Team and the All-Rookie Team while emerging as a leading contender for national player of the year honors.
Boozer led the ACC in scoring with 705 total points (22.7 per game) and also topped the conference in rebounding with 315 boards (10.2 per game). He also averaged 4.1 assists while shooting 58.3% from the field. He hasn’t slowed down, what is turning into one of the most productive freshman seasons in recent memory, as he is averaging 22.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists.
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Mike Krzyzewski coached many elite freshmen during his tenure as the Duke head coach and gave Boozer an ultimate compliment for his magnificent debut season.
“He’s the best (freshman),” Krzyzewski said. “To me, it’s not close. This kid is so dependable, so poised, and puts up amazing numbers and accuracy in passing and rebounding. He sets a physical tone for our team that another team has to match, but then he can add all the talents of passing. He can really shoot the ball.”
“He’s almost automatic. I’ve gone to a number of games, and he has great feet and great balance, and then his rebounding, he’s so strong, but when he goes after it one time, if he misses, he doesn’t bring his arms down. His arms stay up there, and he’s got great hands. He’s had really as good a year as any freshman that has played here.”
Boozer’s historic run also includes becoming the only Division I player in the past 3 decades to record at least 700 points, 300 rebounds, and 100 assists in a single regular season. He is already projected as a potential top-three selection in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Boozer was also an almost unanimous choice for the ACC All-Rookie Team and will look to carry that momentum into the conference tournament when Duke faces the winner of the game between Florida State and California. Duke is also projected as a No. 1 seed for the upcoming NCAA tournament.
Meanwhile, Boozer was not the only Blue Devil to receive conference recognition, as senior forward Maliq Brown captured both ACC Defensive Player of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year honors. Duke head coach Jon Scheyer was also named ACC Coach of the Year.
