Duke Star Cameron Boozer Selected No. 3 Overall in NBA Draft

The Memphis Grizzlies have selected Duke Blue Devils star Cameron Boozer with the 3rd overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Boozer had a phenomenal freshman campaign at Duke, averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. The 18-year-old shot 55.6 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from three.

Boozer is one of the best players in the class and had the talent to be considered for the top selection, but AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson go ahead of him in the draft.

Boozer showed confidence in his game, as he stated, "Many years down the line, people are gonna look back and say I should've been," when asked about not being in the conversation to go first overall.

He now joins a Grizzlies team in rebuild mode, having traded Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. over the past year and now shopping guard Ja Morant.

Boozer will join Zach Edey in the frontcourt in Memphis along with talented wing Cedric Coward. That is the young core for the Grizzlies to build upon, with Boozer instantly becoming their franchise cornerstone.

While a Morant trade may not happen right away, he has been shopped, paving the way for Boozer to usher in a new era in Memphis.

Boozer should be impactful right away in the NBA, having shown his all-around talent in college. With Memphis being in rebuild mode, Boozer has a chance to be the lead scorer and rebounder for the team in his rookie campaign.

He showed maturity in his game at Duke, becoming the team's star despite being a freshman. Boozer led the Blue Devils to a 35-3 record in the 2025-26 season, but they were unable to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Duke will miss Boozer's presence next season, but will hope he becomes the next former Blue Devil to become a star in the NBA.

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