Cameron Boozer Leans on Familiar Voice During First Grizzlies Training Camp

Cameron Boozer, 19, went through his first NBA training camp this week with the Memphis Grizzlies at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Belmont coach Evan Bradds, who coached Boozer at Duke a year ago, was in the building, Belmont Vision's Sam Dicus reported.

Bradds spent one season as a Duke assistant, Boozer's lone season in Durham. He was Boozer's position coach and the team's offensive coordinator.

Picking Bradds' mind was part of Boozer's week at Belmont.

"He's really seen it all," Boozer said. "So he was a great guy to just pick his mind, and we could talk basketball for hours."

Memphis used the third pick June 23 on Boozer after one season at Duke, where he led the Blue Devils in points, rebounds, and assists. His 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game came on 55.6 percent shooting. He also averaged 4.1 assists and started all 38 games.

Boozer tied for the national lead with 22 double-doubles. His season high was 35 points against Arkansas on Nov. 27.

Boozer swept the national player of the year awards, including the Wooden Award, the Naismith Trophy, and the Associated Press honor. He also won ACC Player of the Year, ACC Rookie of the Year, and ACC Tournament MVP.

Duke entered the NCAA tournament as the No. 1 overall seed. UConn beat the Blue Devils 73-72 in the Elite Eight, with Boozer scoring 27 points and grabbing eight rebounds in the loss.

At Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Boozer was twice named Gatorade National Player of the Year.

Carlos Boozer, his father, is among the people Boozer plans to call on as a rookie. Carlos Boozer also played at Duke before a 13-season NBA career that included two All-Star selections.

"I got a staff here for a reason," Boozer explained. "I'm obedient to them. But guys like my dad, other people I've known my whole life, I'm always gonna reach out if I need them."

In Las Vegas in July, the Grizzlies got to the Summer League title game before losing 94-90 to the Golden State Warriors. Boozer was named to the All-Summer League First Team.

Cedric Coward, the 11th pick in 2025, made the All-Rookie First Team last season. Zach Edey went ninth in 2024 and played 11 games last season after offseason ankle surgery. General manager Zach Kleiman said at Monday's media day that Edey is cleared for full-speed, full-court work.

Memphis traded Ja Morant to Portland on June 29 and got back Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. Isaiah Stewart came from Detroit in June. The Grizzlies also traded for the rights to Karim López, the 21st pick.

The Grizzlies play their first preseason game Monday in Atlanta. Tip-off against the Atlanta Hawks is 6 p.m. CT.