Duke basketball is no stranger to star power. Every season, the Blue Devils reload with elite recruits, NBA-bound scorers, and athletic marvels who command national attention. Entering the 2024–25 season, all eyes were fixed on Cameron Boozer, Isaiah Evans, and the rest of Jon Scheyer’s reloaded roster. Yet tucked away in the shadow of a projected top NBA Draft pick stood another freshman—one who is no less competitive, no less prepared, and no less determined to carve out his own legacy.
That freshman is Cayden Boozer, Cameron’s twin brother and a rapidly emerging force in Duke’s backcourt. After several games of steady improvement, Cayden delivered his strongest performance yet in Duke’s dominant win over Niagara—an outing that signaled he is no longer just “Cameron’s brother,” but a budding contributor in his own right.
With Duke still refining its identity after last season’s heartbreaking Final Four exit, Cayden’s development could not come at a better time.
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STEPPING INTO A VOID DUKE HAS STRUGGLED TO FILL
For all of Duke’s historical success, last season revealed a glaring deficiency: a true point guard. The Blue Devils’ 2023–24 roster overflowed with talent, but it lacked a reliable floor general who could consistently create opportunities, set tempo, and protect the ball under pressure. Their season ended with a costly late-game turnover against Houston—a painful reminder of what happens without a steady hand at the point.
This year, Caleb Foster has stepped into the starting role, but Duke has been searching for additional ball-handling depth, especially someone who can come off the bench and control the pace without sacrificing offensive flow. Early in the season, Cayden Boozer has been that exact presence.
Through six games, he’s averaging 8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.2 steals, providing a valuable spark while displaying the poise that Duke desperately needs from its secondary playmaker.
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FINDING HIS CONFIDENCE AND HIS ROLE
What makes Cayden’s early-season rise compelling is the rhythm he has found in such a short span. His confidence was on full display against Niagara, where he poured in 11 points and two assists in just 17 minutes. Beyond the stat line, Cayden played with assertiveness—shooting decisively, pushing the pace, and making smart reads that helped Duke maintain offensive fluidity.
Asked after the game about what’s clicking for him, Cayden acknowledged the adjustment period:
> “There’s definitely a difference from high school. The line’s a little bit further. But also, the shots I got were just really good shots. My teammates got me really wide-open looks, and I feel like I’m a really good shooter. I haven’t started the year strong, but I know the shots are going to fall eventually.”
And fall they did. Cayden knocked down three three-pointers, a notable development considering he entered the night just 2-for-8 from deep this season. His shooting confidence is growing—and when combined with his natural instincts as a distributor, it adds an entirely new dimension to Duke’s backcourt.
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A DISTRIBUTOR DUKE HAS BEEN DESPERATE FOR
While his scoring jump is a positive sign, Cayden’s greatest value lies in his ability to run the offense and create for others. Duke has not had a player average at least five assists since Tre Jones in the 2019–20 season. Since then, the assist leader has twice been a frontcourt player rather than a guard—an unusual trend for a program that has historically thrived with elite point guards.
This season, Cameron Boozer currently leads the team in assists with four per game, which speaks to the need for more guard production in that area. Cayden has already shown flashes suggesting he could be the one to break Duke’s distributor drought. His performance against Kansas showcased his feel for the game, as he dished out three smooth, high-IQ assists in key moments. Even more impressive was his eight-assist performance against Army, where he controlled the offense with a veteran-like command.
Cayden’s passing is quick, instinctive, and creative. He sees plays a step ahead—threading bounce passes in tight spaces, hitting shooters in rhythm, and making the extra pass that turns a good shot into a great one.
For a Duke team loaded with scorers, that ability is invaluable.
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SEPARATING HIMSELF—AND SHINING ALONGSIDE HIS BROTHER
Cameron Boozer may draw most of the headlines as a top NBA prospect, but Cayden is showing that he brings something equally important: steadiness, intelligence, and leadership from the point guard position. Their chemistry on the floor is evident; Cayden knows where his twin wants the ball and has a feel for how to maximize Cameron’s scoring opportunities.
But more importantly, Cayden is proving he can shine with Cameron—not because of him.
Every game, Cayden looks more comfortable, more aggressive, and more integral to Duke’s success. What started as a quiet freshman campaign is quickly becoming a breakout story that Duke fans can rally behind.
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A GROWING ROLE AND A GROWING IMPACT
As the season progresses, Jon Scheyer faces an exciting dilemma: how much more responsibility can he give Cayden Boozer? With his confidence rising and his production steadily increasing, it’s clear Cayden isn’t just a capable bench guard—he’s a piece that can change Duke’s ceiling this season.
He has the vision of a pure point guard, the shooting touch to keep defenses honest, and the mentality to handle high-pressure moments. Most importantly, he has the hunger to keep improving.
If his trajectory continues, Cayden Boozer may soon go from “the other Boozer twin” to the key that unlocks Duke’s championship potential.
And based on what we’ve seen so far, he’s just getting started.
