When the doors to Cameron Indoor opened and fans poured in, the story everyone wanted to see unfold was how this new-look Duke Blue Devils team would perform together. It was about rotations, chemistry, and how Jon Scheyer’s revamped roster would look under the bright lights. But by the time the final buzzer sounded, all those questions were replaced by one undeniable truth — this night belonged to Cameron Boozer.
The freshman phenom didn’t just fit in with Duke’s lineup — he commanded it. Boozer’s performance against 18th-ranked Tennessee wasn’t the kind that gets lost in a stat sheet; it was the kind that defines early-season narratives. He finished with a jaw-dropping 24 points, 23 rebounds, and 6 assists, leading Duke to a gritty 83–76 comeback victory that had fans on their feet and cameras glued to one player.
At halftime, the Blue Devils were in trouble. Tennessee’s physicality had them off balance, shots weren’t falling, and the scoreboard read 43–37 in favor of the Volunteers. But as the second half began, something shifted — and that something was Boozer. He took over the paint, outworked defenders twice his age, and started imposing his will possession by possession. Whether it was snatching rebounds in traffic, diving for loose balls, or igniting fast breaks, his energy transformed the game’s tone.
“I don’t care if he’s a freshman,” one assistant coach reportedly said after the game. “That was a grown-man performance.”
His teammates followed his lead. Isaiah Evans, another freshman showing early poise, poured in 22 points, while Patrick Nongba added 15 with several key defensive stops late. Together, they turned what looked like a preseason test into a statement win. The Blue Devils went 24-for-69 from the floor and connected on 10-of-27 from three-point range — numbers that don’t tell the whole story of how relentless their attack became once Boozer set the tone.
Even Tennessee’s stars couldn’t ignore it. Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Nate Ament did their part, scoring 19 and 14 points respectively, but Duke’s second-half surge left them playing catch-up. When the final horn sounded, players from both sides could only nod at what they had just witnessed — a freshman who already looked like the heartbeat of one of college basketball’s most storied programs.
After the game, Boozer didn’t say much. He didn’t need to. His performance had spoken loud enough for everyone. Reporters crowded around him, coaches exchanged glances, and fans stayed long after the finish just to get another look at the player who had turned a scrappy exhibition game into a highlight reel.
“Cameron plays with a presence,” head coach Jon Scheyer said postgame. “It’s not just about points — it’s how he changes everything around him. He competes on every possession. That’s contagious.”
For Duke, this game wasn’t just about winning an exhibition. It was about finding a rhythm, discovering leadership, and seeing who could rise when the moment called for it. And Boozer didn’t just rise — he took over.
With the regular season tipping off November 4 against Texas, the excitement in Durham is already bubbling. The Blue Devils will then face Western Carolina, Army, and Indiana State in their early stretch. But if Cameron Boozer keeps playing like this, it won’t matter who’s next — because Duke might have just found its next great star.
Everyone came to see the new Duke team. They left talking about one player — and that’s how legacies start.
