Cameron Boozer Says His Feel for Game ‘Is Really Going to Shine’ in NBA

Cameron Boozer said his overall feel "is really going to shine at this level" in an interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio for its Memphis Grizzlies season preview show.

The third overall pick in June plays his first regular-season game Wednesday, when Memphis hosts the Utah Jazz at 7 p.m. CT at FedExForum. Utah is a former team of his father, two-time All-Star Carlos Boozer.

Boozer does not expect the NBA to bring out a different version of his game.

"I wouldn't say that," Boozer said. "I would just say you see more of what really made my game great, the reads, everything like that, because I'm such a physical force and you have to make a decision to come all the way over [and help or stay with your] man."

"And I think that opens up for me a lot more finish[es] at the rim and a lot easier reads as well," Boozer continued.

Seventy-three seconds into the preseason finale against Charlotte on Oct. 16, Boozer went to the line and made both free throws for Memphis' first points. About a minute after that, Ty Jerome found him for a dunk and a 4-2 lead.

The Grizzlies won it 117-98. Boozer shot 4-of-13 from the field and 9-of-10 at the line, and his 19 points and 7 rebounds were team highs.

Zach Edey scored on a hook 2:40 into the third quarter off a Boozer pass, one of 3 assists for the rookie. Boozer said after the game that he and Edey would keep building that connection.

Before Charlotte, he had 11 points in a 132-123 win at Atlanta on Oct. 5, 16 in a 122-118 home loss to Orlando two nights later, and 10 in 12 minutes of a 104-100 win at Chicago on Oct. 9.

Through four exhibitions, he totaled 56 points and was 20-of-24 at the line.

Boozer started all 38 of Duke's games last season. The Blue Devils finished 35-3, winning the ACC's regular-season title and its tournament.

His per-game numbers were 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, and he shot 55.6% overall and 39.1% on 3-pointers.

In a loss to UConn, he scored 27 points despite multiple facial fractures suffered in the first half. He was the fifth freshman voted AP men's national player of the year.

The Grizzlies took him to Salt Lake City and Las Vegas in July for eight Summer League games.

He averaged 18.5 points in the six played in Las Vegas, along with 8.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists, and Memphis made it all the way to the July 19 championship game before Golden State won it 94-90.

Boozer's line in that loss was 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. The NBA named him to its All-Summer League First Team.

At media day Sept. 28, Boozer said he expects to be more perimeter oriented in Memphis than he was at Duke.

"For me, I think playing a national schedule in high school, going to Duke, I'll feel really prepared and really ready," Boozer explained. "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 added. "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."

Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo said that day there will be an adjustment period for Boozer, who turned 19 on July 18.

Memphis went 25-57 last season, Iisalo's first full season as coach.

Boozer drew 50% of the Rookie of the Year votes in NBA.com's 25th annual GM Survey. Caleb Wilson of Chicago got 20%. AJ Dybantsa, who went first to Washington in June, got 17%. Darryn Peterson, Utah's pick at No. 2, got 13%.

Peterson and the Jazz are at FedExForum on Wednesday.

After the opener, Memphis plays four road games in seven days. The trip starts Oct. 23 at Golden State and continues at Sacramento on Oct. 25, Utah on Oct. 26, and Portland on Oct. 29.