The Duke–North Carolina rivalry has long been the gold standard of college basketball, but in recent years, it hasn’t felt quite the same. The matchups still draw huge audiences, but the intensity hasn’t burned as brightly—especially with the Tar Heels flirting with a possible move to the SEC in the near future.
But 2025 promises to change everything. Thanks to two elite freshmen—Duke’s Cameron Boozer and UNC’s Caleb Wilson—this rivalry could return to the must-see spectacle it has always been.
Boozer vs. Wilson: Freshmen Firepower
Duke and North Carolina both boast top-five recruits for the upcoming season. Boozer enters as the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2025 247Sports Composite Rankings, while Wilson is close behind at No. 5.
Both are versatile, athletic big men who dominate on both ends of the floor. Twice this season, they’ll face off in games that could define the next chapter of the rivalry—and maybe even the sport itself.
Cameron Boozer: A Résumé Like No Other
Boozer may be the most decorated high school player ever to commit to Duke. Alongside his twin brother Cayden, a four-star guard also joining the Blue Devils, Boozer never lost a state championship, collecting four titles at Columbus (FL) and even a Chipotle Boys National Championship.
Individually, he’s a two-time Gatorade National Player of the Year, a two-time Mr. Basketball USA, and a McDonald’s All-American. Some scouts believe he could be just as dominant—or even more impactful—than Cooper Flagg, who made waves for Duke a year ago.
Caleb Wilson: UNC’s Do-It-All Weapon
UNC’s answer to Boozer is Caleb Wilson, a 6’9 forward from Holy Innocents Episcopal School (GA) who was nothing short of spectacular as a senior. He averaged 21.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, 5 assists, 3.6 blocks, and 2.1 steals per game while leading his team to a state title.
Wilson is as versatile as they come. He can guard all five positions, handle the ball like a guard, and create his own shots. That mix of defense and offensive skill makes him a nightmare matchup from day one in the ACC.
A Rivalry Restored
For years, people wondered if the Duke–UNC rivalry had peaked. But with Boozer and Wilson set to square off, it feels alive again. These two aren’t just elite freshmen—they’re the kind of players who can change the narrative of an entire rivalry.
So when Duke and UNC take the court in 2025, it won’t just be about tradition. It’ll be about a new generation of stars turning college basketball’s greatest rivalry back into the sport’s biggest show.
