By many accounts, Duke’s defeat to UConn in the men’s Elite Eight on Sunday was an incredible choke, but Blue Devils player Cameron Boozer was not at fault.
Boozer scored 27 points on 10-for-21 shooting, grabbed eight rebounds, and provided four assists in what might have been his last college game. That concluded a season in which he averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, earning him the Naismith Award for greatest men’s collegiate basketball player.
Boozer shocked fans and onlookers on Sunday by disclosing he was hurt against the Huskies as the world of college basketball gets ready to focus on the NBA draft.
In particular, Boozer sustained “a couple of fractures” around his eye, according to Bryan Fischer of Sports Illustrated.
Boozer demonstrated remarkable durability in his rookie season, placing eighth in the ACC in terms of minutes played per game and first in terms of total minutes played. Duke finished 35-3, earning the top overall seed and making it to the Elite Eight before losing to UConn in an instant classic.
Boozer’s injury appears minor relative to some of his potential draft peers
Although his injury is undoubtedly bad news, it seems insignificant in comparison to two of his most prominent classmates. The Miami-area native has all the makings of a future top-five draft choice.
The biggest injury-related uncertainty in the 2026 draft will probably be Kansas guard Darryn Peterson. Throughout the season, Peterson was in and out of the Jayhawks lineup due to a number of illnesses, including hamstring strain, cramping, and an ankle injury. He might, however, go first overall if he is healthy.
North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson, who broke his thumb while dunking in practice after breaking his left hand against Miami in February, is the other wild card. An All-America selection at the end of the season was cut short by the latter injury.
Cameron will try to carry on his father’s NBA legacy
There have been a lot of second-generation NBA players in the 2020s, and Cameron is undoubtedly one of the greatest. Carlos Boozer, his father, was a center for the Blue Devils for three seasons, earning a national championship in 2001 and was named to the All-ACC team in 2002.
Carlos exceeded expectations by making two All-Star teams and an All-NBA squad with the Jazz in 2007 and 2008 after the Cavaliers selected him in the second round of the 2002 NBA Draft. Before retiring, he spent three seasons with the Bulls and one with the Lakers.
Cayden, Cameron’s twin brother, was also a Duke player this year. The guard, who averaged 7.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, and three assists per game, was selected to the All-East Region and All-ACC Tournament teams.
