Cameron Boozer reflects on his Grizzlies Summer League debut, crediting preparation and an unselfish roster after a 111-74 win over the Thunder.
Cameron Boozer felt as poised as he looked in his Summer League debut, totaling 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in the Memphis Grizzlies' 111-74 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
"I think it was more comfort than nerves," Boozer told Grind City Media. "I prepared for this. I worked for this. We had a great week of practice as well, and we've got a lot of competitors, so I was just ready to get out there with the guys and start building chemistry."
Boozer shot 7-of-11 from the field, including 1-of-3 from 3-point range, working the post, face-up jumpers, and made plays in transition over 24 minutes at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. He's the son of former NBA forward Carlos Boozer, who's now in the Utah Jazz's front office — the same Jazz who passed on him at No. 2 for Kansas guard Darryn Peterson before Memphis snapped him up one pick later.
Memphis generated impressive ball movement, resulting in 33 assists on 38 made field goals over 40 minutes. Boozer, who finished with four assists of his own, said the group collectively has an unselfish mentality and called it "great basketball."
"We've got an unselfish group," Boozer said. "I think that's fun basketball. Thirty-three assists is a lot for any game, especially in a 40-minute game. It's a lot of fun to play with a group that's just passing the ball around and playing for each other. That's great basketball, and it led to a 30-point win like you saw tonight. It was just a great feeling overall."
Boozer isn't putting numbers on what comes next, with Memphis facing the Jazz Monday before closing out group play against Atlanta. Saturday, he said, was a foundation — not a finished product. The theme throughout the team has been to embrace setting a standard rather than chasing any specific result.
"Just competing again," Boozer said of his mindset entering Game 2. "I'm not setting expectations. I'm just going out there to compete, keep building chemistry, and play for each other. Today was a great foundation, but we've got to build off that foundation. I'm excited to keep playing."
Boozer slid one pick past his father's old team on draft night. Saturday looked like the version of him Memphis actually got: a forward who can score from anywhere on the floor and is just as happy giving it up when the pass is the right read.
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