Cameron Boozer’s Rise: Duke’s Next Superstar Follows Cooper Flagg’s Legendary Path After performing 3 things in training that got fans talking
There’s something special brewing in Durham again—and this time, it wears No. 12. Cameron Boozer, the latest freshman phenom to step into the national spotlight, is already being likened to Cooper Flagg. That comparison is not made lightly, given that Flagg was not only a Duke superstar but also the 2024 National Player of the Year and a Final Four hero. Yet, Boozer’s dazzling debut during Duke’s open practice this week suggests he might just be built for similar greatness.
It’s hard not to draw the parallels. Boozer arrived in Durham as one of the most heralded prospects in recent memory. His name alone—Cameron—feels poetic, given the cathedral of college hoops he now calls home: Cameron Indoor Stadium. Like Flagg a year ago, Boozer enters with NBA Draft expectations already looming, with many projecting him as a potential top pick in 2026. But accolades aside, it’s what he does on the floor that truly ignites the imagination of fans and scouts alike.
Tuesday night’s open practice offered the first glimpse of Boozer in Duke blue, and he didn’t disappoint. Dominant in the paint, smooth from the midrange, and even capable from beyond the arc—Boozer showed the full package. His versatility, court awareness, and high basketball IQ were on full display, showing that he’s far more than a high school highlight machine. His transition to the college level looks seamless.
And what makes Boozer’s performance even more impressive is the weight of expectation he already carries. Duke fans barely had time to say goodbye to Cooper Flagg before another generational talent took center stage. But rather than being burdened by that legacy, Boozer seems energized by it. He’s not here to live in Flagg’s shadow—he’s here to cast his own.
There’s a fire in his game, a confidence that belies his age. Whether it’s a smooth fadeaway jumper or an emphatic block on defense, Boozer carries himself with the poise of a veteran. He’s already a vocal leader in practice, constantly communicating and demanding the best from his teammates. It’s the kind of intangible quality that sets apart the good from the great.
Fortunately for Boozer, he won’t have to carry the program alone. Head coach Jon Scheyer has assembled one of the deepest and most balanced rosters in college basketball. Boozer is joined by his twin brother Cayden, a high-level playmaker in his own right, and a returning cast that includes Isaiah Evans, Caleb Foster, and Pat Ngongba—all of whom bring experience, athleticism, and a hunger to return to the Final Four.
Add to that mix elite newcomers like Nik Khamenia and Dame Sarr, and Duke has the pieces to not only contend nationally, but potentially dominate. Scheyer’s strategy is clear: surround Boozer with talent, depth, and high-IQ players who can complement his style while developing their own. It’s a formula that worked for Flagg—and now, it could work again.
For Duke fans, the excitement is palpable. Seeing Boozer take the floor at Cameron Indoor was more than just a practice—it felt like a passing of the torch. The crowd buzzed with energy every time he touched the ball. There’s a feeling that this team, led by this freshman, could write the next great chapter in Duke’s storied history.
While the comparisons to Flagg will continue, Boozer seems determined to forge his own path. He’s not here to replicate anyone—he’s here to be remembered as Cameron Boozer, the leader of a new Blue Devil era. And based on what we’ve seen, that legacy is already in motion.
With the season still months away, expectations will only continue to grow. But if this first glimpse is any indication, Cameron Boozer is not just ready for the moment—he is the moment. And Duke basketball may have just found its next generational icon.
