Cameron Boozer Expects More Perimeter Role With Grizzlies

Cameron Boozer expects to play farther from the basket with the Memphis Grizzlies than he did during his one season at Duke.

Boozer, the third overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, met with reporters Monday at the team's media day at FedExForum. Memphis opens training camp Tuesday at Belmont University in Nashville and will practice there through Oct. 2.

At Duke, Boozer averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 38 starts. He shot 55.6% from the field and 39.1% from 3-point range for a team that went 35-3 and won the ACC regular-season and tournament titles. In February, he came close to a triple-double against Michigan with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists.

A national high school schedule and a season at Duke have Boozer feeling ready for the change.

"I think one thing is I'm going to be more perimeter oriented," Boozer said. "But for me, I think playing a national schedule in high school, going to Duke, I'll feel really prepared and really ready. I think whatever system they put me in, I'm going to do a great job, and you can really put me anywhere."

"I'm going to find ways to impact winning," Boozer continued. "I think that just comes from my feel for the game, and I'm really excited for the season to get going, so I can show that stuff for sure."

Boozer played eight Summer League games between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. In six games in Las Vegas, he averaged 18.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, and Memphis went 4-2. The run ended with a 94-90 loss to Golden State in the championship game on July 19.

He had 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in 35 minutes in the final. One night earlier, in a 101-90 semifinal win over Houston, he posted 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists. The league later named him to the All-Summer League First Team.

Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo expects an adjustment period for Boozer, a 19-year-old in his first NBA season. He also sees several ways Memphis can use Boozer's passing and versatility.

"I think it also like underscores Cam's ability to both play in the perimeter and inside against the post mismatches, and his passing already is at a very high level," Iisalo said. "And I think that will be something that we will definitely utilize, whether he's a handler, whether he's a receiver in screening situations, behind the defense because he can make quick decisions and find other guys open, or out of the post or high post."

"So it's really more like pruning certain things, not starting with everything but going step by step," Iisalo continued, "because we have to understand that he's still, even though he's very developed for his age, both mentally and physically, he is a 19-year-old going into his first NBA year and there will be an adjustment period for him too. And then to understand what are some of the team level concepts that he also needs to master on top of the individual things, [his] individual superpowers, that then can unlock different things in our offense."

Zach Edey is among the teammates Boozer expects to find as a passer.

"I think you're just going to see my feel for the game, my decision making, attacking defenders, getting downhill, making reads," Boozer explained, "whether it's a lob to guys like Zach or kicking out and finishing at the rim, whatever it is. So I think the main thing is you're going to see me making plays and being a decision maker."

Edey appeared in 11 games last season before two surgical procedures on his left ankle. The 7-foot-4 center averaged 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 25.8 minutes.

Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman said Monday that Edey has been cleared for full-speed, full-court activity. Kleiman also said Edey has not been ruled out for the preseason. At this point a year ago, Iisalo said, Edey was still out.

Boozer's Summer League minutes came next to Cedric Coward, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Taylor Hendricks, and Javon Small. Ty Jerome appeared in 15 games for Memphis last season.

Iisalo said Jerome elevated the team's half-court offense over that stretch and that Memphis will lean on him offensively this season.

Boozer has been through a couple of workouts with his new teammates and expects training camp to be where the chemistry gets built.

"Honestly, I would say it fits perfectly," Boozer said. "What Ty does so great, getting downhill, creating, making plays for himself and the team. Obviously, Zach is a special, special guy. Being 7-foot-4, he can really change the game offensively and defensively."

"He makes reads on offense so much easier, and on defense, he's just a paint patroller," Boozer added. "So I think it's going to be a lot of fun. You guys are going to get to see it throughout the season."

Jerome holds a player option for the 2027-28 season worth $9.6 million, according to Spotrac.

Memphis went 25-57 last season. The Grizzlies open the preseason Oct. 5 at Atlanta and begin the regular season Oct. 21 against Utah at FedExForum.