Every once in a while, a player walks through the doors of Cameron Indoor Stadium who doesn’t just join Duke basketball — he defines it. Last season, that was Cooper Flagg. Now, the spotlight shifts to the next potential phenom: Cameron Boozer.
And the question buzzing in Durham, from the locker room to the student sections?
Can Cam Boozer replicate Cooper Flagg’s success at Duke?
THE FLAGG EFFECT: A NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE STANDARD
Before we talk Boozer, let’s remind ourselves of the meteoric rise of Cooper Flagg.
Flagg wasn’t just good — he was program-changing. From the moment he laced up in Duke blue, the 6-foot-9 forward looked like a man among boys. He bulldozed through the ACC with highlight dunks, ice-cold step-backs, and game-saving blocks. Over 37 games, Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks/steals — video game numbers for a freshman.
But the numbers only tell part of the story. Flagg carried Duke all the way to the Final Four, turned himself into a household name, and walked straight into the 2025 NBA Draft as the No. 1 overall pick.
He wasn’t just a player. He was a phenomenon. He was Duke’s poster boy.
Now, here comes Cam Boozer — and the comparisons are impossible to ignore.
ENTER CAM BOOZER: THE SON OF A LEGEND, THE START OF HIS OWN STORY
At 6-foot-9 with NBA bloodlines, Cam Boozer doesn’t walk onto campus quietly. He’s the son of Carlos Boozer, the two-time NBA All-Star who once battled in the league with LeBron, Wade, and Kobe. But Cam’s story isn’t about being his father’s son. It’s about writing his own legacy at Duke.
Ranked No. 3 in the class of 2025, Boozer brings a slightly different flavor than Flagg. He’s not as freakishly fluid or explosive, but he’s powerful. He’s skilled. He’s polished. In high school, he often looked unstoppable — a player who could punish defenders inside, step out and knock down jumpers, and make sneaky-good passes when double-teamed.
Some say Boozer dominated prep basketball even more than Flagg, simply because nobody could match his strength and touch around the rim. Others argue that players like AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson are “sexier” NBA prospects due to their athletic upside.
But Duke fans don’t care about NBA draft chatter right now. They care about what Boozer can do in Cameron Indoor next season.
WHY BOOZER COULD THRIVE AT DUKE
Here’s where things get really interesting. Duke just lost five players to the NBA Draft. Translation: Boozer is not joining a loaded, veteran roster like Flagg did. Instead, he’s walking into a team that needs him to be the guy.
And that might be the best thing for him.
Unlike Flagg, who shared the floor with other five-star talents, Boozer is stepping into a role where the offense could very well run through him. His ability to dominate in the post, face up and attack, or hit teammates on the short roll makes him one of the most versatile freshmen in the nation.
Duke fans know this: Jon Scheyer has quietly built his system to empower big, skilled forwards. We saw it with Paolo Banchero. We saw it with Kyle Filipowski. We saw it again with Flagg. Boozer has the chance to be next in line.
THE REALITY: WILL HE MATCH FLAGG’S FINAL FOUR RUN?
Here’s where expectations need to be balanced. As much as Duke fans dream of another Flagg-like freshman explosion, Boozer will have a tougher climb. The roster won’t be as deep, and the ACC is always a grind.
A Final Four run is possible — this is Duke, after all — but Boozer’s real success might not be measured in March. It might be measured in whether he proves himself worthy of the “No. 1 pick” conversations.
With AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson battling him for the crown, Boozer has every chance to push his way into that debate if he shines at Duke.
THE HYPE IS REAL — AND CAMERON IS READY
The truth is this: Nobody will ever truly replicate Cooper Flagg’s magic. Legends don’t get carbon-copied.
But can Cam Boozer carve out his own path, dominate the college game, and write his name into Duke basketball history? Absolutely.
He has the size. He has the skill. He has the Duke platform. And most importantly, he has the fire.
So when Cameron Indoor is rocking next season and the Crazies are chanting his name, don’t be surprised if Cam Boozer starts to feel less like “the next Cooper Flagg” and more like the first Cam Boozer.
Because sometimes, being yourself is exactly what makes you a legend.
