Cameron Boozer Dominates NBA Rookie Rankings Early

Duke’s Cameron Boozer has received a strong ranking on the NBA’s official rookie ladder.

NBA.com placed him at No. 1 among all first-year players early in the 2026-27 season.

The 19-year-old forward was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the third overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Boozer played one season at Duke University before entering the draft.

He won the AP Player of the Year Award during his freshman year with the Blue Devils.

At Duke, he averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

He shot 55.6 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from three-point range.

Boozer led Duke to a 35-3 overall record and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament Regional Final.

The Blue Devils fell to the UConn Huskies in that game, ending their season.

Despite the disappointing finish, Boozer left a lasting mark on the program.

Now he is translating his game to the NBA at a high level.

Through the first eight games of the regular season, Boozer is averaging 16.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.

He is shooting 36.4 percent from the field, 36.7 percent from three-point range and 94.4 percent from the free-throw line.

His efficiency from the floor has not been great, but his overall impact on both ends has been significant.

Boozer leads the Grizzlies in rebounds per game.

He ranks second on the team in both points and assists per game.

The Grizzlies have started the season 6-2, putting them among the top teams in the Western Conference.

Memphis matched its best start in franchise history during this run.

Boozer recently became the second-youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double.

His versatility has been a key factor in the Grizzlies’ early success.

He can play both the power forward and center positions effectively.

At the 4, his ability to space the floor and keep the offense flowing allows Memphis to run actions on both sides of the court.

When teams try to switch defensively, Boozer has no problem going into the post.

His patience on the catch and his effort to get to his spot have created consistent mismatches.

If help defense arrives, he can pass out of the post, which lets Memphis attack tilted defenses.

When moved to the 5, his screening, rolling and quick movement into space open up the offense.

His short-roll passing has been a standout element of his game.

His timing and footwork on screens have drawn attention from coaches and analysts.

Boozer has also mixed in catch-and-shoot three-pointers, which has helped his scoring production.

His drives have been aggressive, though some of his finishing skills are still developing.

Boozer’s playmaking is considered an underrated aspect of his game.

It has helped the Grizzlies generate open looks for teammates throughout the early season.

Not every game has been smooth.

In a 107-103 loss to the Indiana Pacers, Boozer finished with 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting.

He made 2 of 5 three-point attempts in that game.

He also recorded six rebounds, four assists and one steal across 33 minutes.

He committed four turnovers in that contest.

The inefficient shooting night highlighted an area where he still needs to improve.

Through eight games, he is making just 36.4 percent of his shots overall.

His three-point percentage stands at 36.7 percent.

Despite the shooting struggles, Boozer continues to find ways to produce on the court.

If he maintains his current level of play and improves his efficiency, he will be among the top contenders to win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

He would become the second straight former Duke player to win the award.

Cooper Flagg won Rookie of the Year in the 2025-26 season.