Duke basketball has never been short on star power, but every so often, a newcomer arrives who elevates the entire program from the moment he steps on the floor. In the Blue Devils’ latest showcase — an 80–71 win over Arkansas in the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic at the United Center — five-star freshman Cameron Boozer delivered one of those pulse-raising performances that instantly reshape narratives and fuel national buzz.
Boozer erupted for 35 points and nine rebounds, connecting on an eye-popping 13 of 18 shots while adding three assists and two steals. The win vaulted Duke to No. 6 in the updated CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 rankings, and Boozer’s performance served as the centerpiece of the Blue Devils’ momentum heading toward December basketball.
What stood out most was not simply the scoring barrage, but the control, composure, and polish he showed in a matchup that demanded maturity beyond his age. From gliding through contact to creating his own looks to setting up teammates in rhythm, Boozer’s fingerprints were everywhere.
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer didn’t hold back his admiration when discussing the rising star.
“He’s been so coachable from Day 1,” Scheyer said, noting that Boozer’s work ethic and self-demanding nature separate him from even the best recruits. “You’re lucky when you’re coaching a guy who’s harder on himself than anybody else could be. What he’s done has been incredible — and I still think there’s more there. A lot more.”
Scheyer emphasized Boozer’s evolving ability to play through contact, make quick decisions, and operate with purpose in the flow of the offense. “He can shoot the ball from three. He can create his own shot. But tonight he was a connector — quick decisions, pressure on the defense, and opening up the floor for everyone else.”
This vibe — that Boozer is already elite but nowhere close to his ceiling — is what has Duke fans buzzing and national analysts taking notice. Through the early part of the season, Boozer is leading Duke in five major statistical categories:
Points per game (22.9)
Rebounds per game (9.8)
Assists per game (3.9)
Steals per game (1.8)
Blocks per game (1.1)
It’s a rare feat, one last matched by Cooper Flagg during his sensational freshman campaign. Yet Boozer’s rise feels uniquely explosive — a blend of skill, power, basketball IQ, and poise that rarely arrives fully formed in November.
According to KenPom.com, Boozer currently sits atop the National Player of the Year standings with a rating of 2.382, an astounding position for a freshman still getting adjusted to the intensity of the college schedule.
The Arkansas matchup felt like a national introduction — the kind of game that not only showcases a star’s gifts, but also signals his arrival as a player who will define the sport all season long. Every time the Razorbacks made a run, Boozer responded with a poised play: a tough finish at the rim, a smooth mid-range jumper, a kick-out pass that kept Duke’s offense humming. He played with a sense of inevitability — the quiet confidence of someone who knows he belongs at the top.
But what truly elevates Boozer is that he isn’t just stuffing the stat sheet as an individual scorer. He’s shaping Duke into a more dangerous, more versatile team. His ability to stretch defenses from the perimeter forces mismatches. His passing unlocks driving lanes for his teammates. His strength allows him to absorb contact inside while still maintaining finesse. Duke’s offense looks more fluid with him on the floor, and its defense gains a level of physicality and awareness uncommon for a freshman big.
This is the foundation of something bigger than a single standout performance. It’s the beginning of a season in which Boozer may not only rewrite Duke’s freshman record books, but also anchor a national championship contender.
Duke now enters December with growing momentum and a sense of identity. Veterans are stepping into their roles. Young players are gaining confidence. And at the center of it all is a freshman phenom who plays with the decisiveness of a seasoned star and the hunger of someone who wants to carry his team to the sport’s biggest stages.
If this is just the beginning — if Boozer truly has “more there,” as Scheyer insists — the rest of college basketball should pay close attention. Duke has found its engine, its anchor, and perhaps the nation’s best player.
With each game, Boozer looks less like a freshman and more like the next great Blue Devil — one capable of leading Duke on a thrilling ride deep into March.
And if Thursday night’s performance is any indication, the ride is just getting started.
