NBA front offices are prioritizing substance over flash as advanced metrics crown the Duke standout as a generational producer capable of averaging a double-double from day one.
Who Should Utah Draft?
The 2026 NBA Draft continues to evolve at the top as trade rumors and roster fits play a key factor, but this time, a new wave of evaluation has placed Duke forward Cameron Boozer squarely in the spotlight. According to DraftExpress, analytics departments across the league have Boozer rated as the No. 1 player in the class.
“If you talk to the analytics people in NBA front offices who have a lot of influence these days,” DraftExpress’ Jonathan Givony said, “100% of them have Cam Boozer at number one at the top of their draft model.”
Givony outlined why Boozer grades out so strongly.
“That’s not just because of what he did in college, where he was the most productive player in college basketball by a mile at 18 years old,” he said, “but also dating back to what he did in high school, as well as at the FIBA level. Cam Boozer has been the best player in every setting that he’s competed on since he was 14 years old.”
That consistency, paired with his statistical profile, has fueled one of the strongest projections of any prospect in the class.
“I think he’s going to be a 20 and 10 guy from day one,” Givony said. “And I think he’s even going to make a run potentially at being an All‑Star as a rookie.”
The video also addressed the primary critique of Boozer’s game which is his athleticism.
“Obviously, you know, the big knock is he’s not that athletic, he can’t jump over a phone book,” Givony said. “His feel for the game is absolutely exceptional… He is a great basketball player.”
Furthermore, Givony highlighted Boozer’s defensive instincts, rebounding, physicality and versatility.
“He’s elite… He’s a great rebounder… He’s just first to every loose ball,” Givony said.
Offensively, he pointed to Boozer’s ability to shoot, post, handle, and even initiate offense.
“We saw Duke use him almost as a point guard at times,” he continued.
Positionally, Givony sees the former Blue Devil as a modern forward with on‑ball responsibilities.
“I think he’s a power forward who is going to end up playing with the ball in his hands quite a bit because he can really handle, he can really pass,” Givony said. “You can play him anywhere on the floor… and he’s going to win basketball games. He’s done that his entire career. There’s no reason why that’s going to change in the NBA.”
The Utah Jazz have incredibly close ties to Boozer, as his father, Carlos Boozer, is not only a Jazz legend but also currently works in the franchise's scouting department. And while it’s not expected that Utah will look in his direction with either AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson on the board at No. 2, there have been rumors of strong consideration for Boozer.
With analytics models fully behind him, Boozer has positioned himself as a legitimate candidate to be selected first or second overall and, in turn, completely reshaping the conversation at the top of the draft in the process.
