Cameron Boozer has joined Cooper Flagg, Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis, and Kevin Durant in an exclusive list after winning one of college basketball’s most prestigious individual honors. The 18-year-old is coming off an excellent freshman year with the Duke Blue Devils and played a pivotal role in the team’s run.
Cameron Boozer Joins NBA Stars In Exclusive List
On Friday, Boozer was named the Associated Press men’s college basketball national player of the year. He became just the fifth freshman to win the honor, following in the footsteps of another Duke alum.
Cam Boozer has won the AP Player of the Year. He is the fifth freshman all time to win the award, joining Cooper Flagg, Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis, and Kevin Durant.
— Sammy Profeta (@profeta_sammy) April 3, 2026
Sports writer Sammy Profeta shared Boozer’s historic feat on X, writing, “Cam Boozer has won the AP Player of the Year. He is the fifth freshman all time to win the award, joining Cooper Flagg, Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis, and Kevin Durant.”
Flagg won the award last year after an incredible freshman year with Duke, before being drafted by the Dallas Mavericks. Williamson in 2019 (Duke), Davis in 2012 (Kentucky), and Durant in 2007 (Texas) are the only other freshmen to have earned this honor.
“It just goes to show more about what our team has done, just because I think that really helps awards like this, having great team success,” Boozer told the Associated Press.
Boozer received 59 of 61 votes from AP Top 25 voters. AJ Dybantsa, another freshman, came in second place, after leading the nation with an average of 25.5 points per game.
Regarded as one of the top NBA prospects ahead of this year’s draft, Boozer was the ninth-highest scorer in the nation this season. He averaged 22.5 points, along with an impressive 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.
MORE: Cameron Boozer NBA Draft Projections
“I’m very grateful just that I’m even in those (NBA) conversations,” Boozer said about playing in the NBA. “I think a lot of people dream of being where I am. Sometimes you’ve got to take a step back and just remember that once upon a time, you were a kid dreaming to be here. So I think it’s very special.”
The forward helped the Duke Blue Devils win the ACC regular season and tournament. While the Blue Devils’ run in the NCAA Tournament ended in heartbreak in the Elite Eight, the forward showed that he has what it takes to make it to the very top.
Boozer impacted winning plays for Duke this season. He showcased his versatility with excellent passing and playmaking, along with his ability to overpower defenders.
For his performances, Boozer was also named the ACC Player of the Year and a consensus first-team All-American.
