After one year with the Duke Blue Devils, Cameron Boozer entered the NBA draft where he was selected No. 3 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies. Boozer now takes his game to the NBA level, where he will look to help the Grizzlies return to the playoffs in this rebuild.
The Grizzlies opted to rebuild around Boozer, moving on from Ja Morant and entering a new era for the franchise.
Going into this season, there's a lot of hype surrounding Boozer and deservedly so. He's one of the top prospects in this class and just completed a very good season in which he won the Naismith National Player of the Year award. It's not just Duke or Memphis media, either.
ESPN recently published the first version of its "Summer Forecast," which was centered around rookies. ESPN insiders cast a vote for a few categories among this 2026 rookie class.
One of the topics was which rookie would be a first-team All-NBA selection first, and Boozer led the way with seven votes, beating out Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, and Caleb Wilson. Here is what they wrote:
Opportunity and supporting casts likely play major roles in No. 2 pick Peterson and third selection Boozer snatching the most votes in this forecast. Peterson played in five games during summer league, averaging 20.7 points, four assists, one steal and 1.3 blocks. As part of a starting lineup that features George, Markkanen and Jackson with -- more importantly -- the green light to compete and not tank, Peterson will shine on both ends of the floor playing for a demanding coach in Hardy. But, like any rookie on a bottom-tier team, he'll also fight through some growing pains.
Boozer and the Grizzlies, meanwhile, will surprise some teams this season. But their overall success likely hinges on the health of Zach Edey. Still, Boozer's basketball IQ, physicality, passing skills and ability to make everybody around him better will lift a young, revamped Memphis roster expected to lean on an unconventional style of play. -- Michael C. Wright
Boozer will be the featured player in Memphis as the franchise will look to build around him moving forward. He should make an impact right away and this first season could be a big one for the former Blue Devils' standout.
He was also named as the rookie entering the best situation this season as well as the lottery pick who will have the biggest impact on winning this season.
We can't wait to see Boozer hit the floor and make an impact right away.
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