Cameron Boozer’s college debut didn’t start the way anyone expected. The Duke freshman — one of the most anticipated players in the nation — went scoreless in the first half against Texas, missing all seven of his shots as the Blue Devils fell behind by one at the break.
That’s when Jon Scheyer decided to send a message.
After the game, Boozer revealed that Scheyer had called him out in the locker room, telling him he was “playing soft.” The challenge hit home immediately.
When Boozer returned to the floor, he flipped the script. He attacked the rim, drew contact, and started living at the foul line — earning three separate two-shot trips in just a few minutes. By the end of the second half, he had poured in 15 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and swiped three steals, turning what started as a rough debut into a dominant performance.
The shift was clear: Duke went from trailing by one to winning by 15.
“He’s just a competitor and he’s a winner,” Scheyer said after the game. “The ability to flip that switch in-game — that’s what a lot of guys struggle with. That’s not an easy thing.”
Boozer’s response to Scheyer’s words showed exactly why he’s viewed as one of college basketball’s next great stars. Alongside BYU’s AJ Dybantsa and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, he’s already in the conversation for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The first half might have been a wake-up call, but the second half was a warning to the rest of college basketball — Cameron Boozer can take over whenever he wants.
Next up for Duke: a home matchup with Western Carolina. Expect Boozer to keep his foot on the gas this time — no more “soft” starts needed.
