When Jon Scheyer talks about NBA-ready talent, he usually points to Duke’s veterans or established stars. But after the Blue Devils’ dominant 95–54 win over Western Carolina, the head coach had something different in mind — and a freshman was at the center of it.
“He’s making plays you don’t usually see from a college freshman,” Scheyer said after the game, referring to Cameron Boozer. “Some of those reads, some of those passes — that’s next-level stuff.”
Boozer’s performance was nothing short of electric. In his first regular-season home game, the 6-foot-9, 250-pound forward delivered 25 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and a block in just 23 minutes. But beyond the box score, it was the way he controlled the game that left Duke’s coaching staff raving.
Scheyer highlighted Boozer’s ability to anticipate plays before they happened — threading bounce passes through tight gaps, kicking out to shooters without hesitation, and finishing strong at the rim with a pro-level blend of patience and power. “He’s not forcing anything,” Scheyer noted. “He’s letting the game come to him, and that’s what you see from pros — not freshmen.”
Inside Duke’s locker room, Boozer’s teammates are feeling the difference too. His decision-making has opened up the offense, his rebounding has stabilized defensive possessions, and his calm presence has brought a veteran energy to a young team.
“He’s got that ‘it’ factor,” one assistant coach said. “You can’t teach how he reads the floor or how composed he is when the lights are on. That’s NBA stuff.”
For Scheyer, Boozer’s early maturity represents more than just potential — it’s a glimpse of what Duke could become this season. “When your youngest player sets that kind of tone,” Scheyer said, “it changes everything for your group.”
Cameron Boozer might be a freshman, but the way he’s playing, he already looks like a pro in college colors. And if Scheyer’s right, it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the country — and the NBA — starts seeing it too.
