The Duke basketball program has long been synonymous with NBA-ready talent, but as the 2026 NBA Draft picture begins to sharpen, one Blue Devil has clearly separated himself from the rest. While several Duke players once projected as first-round picks have slipped in the eyes of scouts, freshman phenom Cameron Boozer continues to rise—firmly cementing his status as one of the most intriguing prospects in college basketball.
Before the season tipped off, Bleacher Report draft analyst Jonathan Wasserman projected as many as five Duke players to be selected in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft. As the season has unfolded, that list has narrowed significantly. In Wasserman’s latest big board, only two Blue Devils remain in first-round territory: Boozer and sophomore center Patrick Ngongba II.
Among them, Boozer stands alone as Duke’s clear centerpiece.
Cameron Boozer: A Top-Three Talent With Superstar Buzz
Boozer currently checks in at No. 3 overall in Wasserman’s mock draft, trailing only BYU star AJ Dybantsa and projected No. 1 pick Darryn Peterson of Kansas. The ranking reflects not only Boozer’s consistent production but also the growing belief among scouts that his game will translate seamlessly to the NBA level.
At 23.2 points per game, Boozer leads the entire NCAA in scoring—an eye-popping achievement for a freshman competing in one of college basketball’s most demanding environments. Standing 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, he combines a powerful frame with advanced offensive polish, a high basketball IQ, and a calm, methodical approach that belies his age.
Wasserman’s most attention-grabbing evaluation, however, came in the form of Boozer’s NBA comparison: former Duke star Paolo Banchero, now a cornerstone player for the Orlando Magic.
A Paolo Banchero Blueprint?
Banchero, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, established himself at Duke as a physically dominant, skill-driven forward capable of scoring at all three levels while facilitating offense. Wasserman sees similar traits in Boozer.
“Some scouts have Cameron Boozer at No. 1,” Wasserman wrote. “The believers are willing to bet on his skill, intangibles and ability to problem-solve the challenges that come with lacking explosiveness.”
That caveat—explosiveness—has become a common talking point in Boozer’s evaluation. He isn’t a high-flying, above-the-rim athlete, but much like Banchero, he compensates with strength, footwork, touch, and decision-making. Boozer thrives by reading defenses, carving out space in the paint, and punishing mismatches with patience and precision.
The comparison carries additional weight given Boozer’s lineage. He is the son of Carlos Boozer, a key member of Duke’s 2001 national championship team and a two-time NBA All-Star. While Cameron’s game is uniquely his own, the basketball instincts and professionalism passed down from his father are evident.
Patrick Ngongba II: Still a First-Rounder, But Sliding
While Boozer’s stock continues to soar, Patrick Ngongba II has experienced a modest slide. Wasserman now places the sophomore center at No. 28 overall, seven spots lower than his preseason projection.
Ngongba’s NBA comparison is Jonas Valanciunas, a veteran big man known for his physicality, rebounding, and interior scoring. The comp reflects Ngongba’s steady, workmanlike style rather than star-level upside.
“[Ngongba] pairs a physical inside presence with low-post and passing skills,” Wasserman noted. “There’s nothing flashy about his game, nor is there any clear path to upside. However, NBA teams could eventually see him as useful frontcourt depth.”
For teams seeking reliability and size in the paint, Ngongba remains an appealing late first-round option. Still, his projection underscores how dramatically Boozer has emerged as Duke’s lone true lottery-level prospect.
Duke Turns Its Focus to ACC Play
Despite the individual accolades and draft buzz, Duke’s season has not been without adversity. The Blue Devils are coming off a narrow 82–81 loss to No. 15 Texas Tech at Madison Square Garden, a game that highlighted both their potential and their growing pains.
Now, the focus shifts to conference play.
Duke opens its ACC schedule at home against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (9–4, 0–0 ACC) in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, with coverage on the ACC Network.
As the grind of ACC competition begins, all eyes will remain on Cameron Boozer—both from fans hoping for wins and scouts watching the evolution of a potential NBA star. If his trajectory continues, Duke may once again have a freshman forward following a familiar path from Cameron Indoor Stadium to the top of the NBA Draft.
