**”Duke Five-Star Freshman Cameron Boozer Says Blue Devils Are ‘Very Overlooked,’ Promises to

Cameron Boozer has never been one to mince words. The 6-foot-9 five-star freshman, one of the most highly anticipated recruits to join the Duke Blue Devils in recent memory, arrives on campus carrying both the legacy of his father, Carlos Boozer—a Duke legend and NBA All-Star—and a chip on his shoulder that belies the attention he’s already received. Despite his status as a top-tier recruit, despite the name on the front of his jersey, and despite the storied history of the program he’s about to represent, Boozer feels like people are sleeping on Duke. And he’s ready to wake them up.

“People really are overlooking us this year,” Boozer says, sitting in a nearly empty practice gym on a humid Durham afternoon. “I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because we’re young. Maybe it’s because we didn’t get every transfer or whatever. But people are gonna learn real quick—we’re not just a ‘next year’ team. We’re right now.”

It’s an unusually bold claim from an 18-year-old who has yet to play a single collegiate game. But Cameron Boozer isn’t your average freshman. The youngest son of Carlos Boozer, Cameron has been under a spotlight since middle school, heralded as a prodigy in his own right but long determined to create a name distinct from his father’s. That journey has taken him through countless hours in the gym, elite national competitions, and now to one of the most iconic college basketball programs in the country. Yet even with all the accolades, even with the weight of history, Boozer insists he—and this Duke team—are flying under the radar.

“The respect isn’t where it should be,” he continues. “I’ve seen the preseason rankings. I’ve seen the media talk. I get it—people think other teams have more experience, or better shooters, or deeper benches. But I know what we have in this locker room. I know the hunger we’ve got. It’s different.”

That hunger has been building over the summer, as Boozer and his fellow freshmen have thrown themselves into Coach Jon Scheyer’s demanding offseason regimen. With last season ending in disappointment—a second-round tournament exit that left fans and players alike with a sour taste—there’s a renewed urgency on campus. And Boozer, with his high motor and natural leadership tendencies, has quickly emerged as one of the most vocal players on the roster.

“I don’t care if I’m a freshman,” Boozer says bluntly. “I didn’t come here to take a back seat. I came to win. Period.”

His confidence is rooted not only in his individual skills but in what he sees from his teammates. Duke’s 2025 roster might be younger than fans are used to, but it’s brimming with talent. Boozer is joined by several other top-25 recruits, including athletic guard Trevon Tyler and 7-foot rim protector Luka Petrović. Each brings something unique to the table—Tyler’s explosive first step and defensive tenacity, Petrović’s uncanny timing and footwork for a big—but it’s Boozer who’s already begun to anchor the team’s identity.

“He’s a tone-setter,” Coach Scheyer said recently during a summer media session. “He’s the type of player who changes the energy of a room just by walking in. His work ethic is elite, but it’s more than that—he holds others accountable. That’s rare for a freshman.”

That sense of responsibility has been instilled in Boozer from an early age. He credits his father not just for his genetics, but for the mindset that’s helped him navigate pressure and expectation.

“My dad never pushed me to be him,” Boozer says. “He always said, ‘Be better than me.’ And not in a cocky way—he meant don’t settle. Don’t compare yourself to me or anyone else. Just keep growing, keep proving.”

Now, he’s poised to do just that on the national stage. And if his summer scrimmages are any indication, Boozer is more than ready. He’s already turning heads with his versatility—handling the ball in transition, switching onto guards defensively, knocking down midrange jumpers, and dominating the boards. His game, a mix of old-school physicality and new-school finesse, has drawn comparisons to players like Chris Bosh and Jayson Tatum. But Boozer isn’t interested in emulating anyone.

“I respect all those guys,” he says. “But I’m trying to build something of my own. I want people to say, ‘He plays like Boozer.’ That’s the goal.”

Off the court, Boozer is quieter, more introspective. He’s studying film constantly, watching not just NBA stars but college legends—Tim Duncan, Carmelo Anthony at Syracuse, his own father in Duke blue. He’s obsessed with details: angles on screens, timing on pick-and-rolls, footwork in the post. He knows that talent alone won’t get Duke where they want to go.

“Everybody’s good at this level,” he says. “You win with the little things. Effort. Discipline. Focus. That’s what separates.”

Still, he’s not shy about setting big goals. When asked what he expects from the upcoming season, Boozer doesn’t hesitate.

“We’re trying to win it all,” he says. “I’m not here for moral victories. Not here for ‘development.’ We’re here to cut nets.”

The path won’t be easy. The ACC is as loaded as ever, with perennial powers like North Carolina, Virginia, and Miami all returning key pieces. And the national landscape is just as brutal, with seasoned programs boasting fifth-year seniors and high-profile transfers. But Boozer welcomes the challenge.

“I love it,” he says. “Let everybody talk about Kansas or Purdue or whoever. Let them sleep on us. We’re gonna be the nightmare.”

One of the more intriguing subplots of this season will be how Boozer handles the inevitable scrutiny that comes with being both a legacy and a five-star. Already, the comparisons to his father are frequent—and not always flattering. Some critics question whether his dominance in high school will translate to the college level. Others wonder if he’s mentally ready for the pressure cooker that is Cameron Indoor.

Boozer hears all of it. And he uses it as fuel.

“I don’t need people to believe in me,” he says. “I believe in me. My teammates believe in me. That’s enough.”

His teammates echo that sentiment. Sophomore point guard Jeremy Flannigan, one of the returning veterans expected to lead the team alongside Boozer, says the freshman’s presence has elevated everyone’s play.

“He doesn’t act like a freshman,” Flannigan says. “He shows up early, stays late, always locked in. And when he speaks, guys listen. You can’t fake that.”

Indeed, leadership seems to come naturally to Boozer, even as he continues to adjust to the faster pace and physicality of the college game. He credits his AAU experience, where he often played against older competition, for toughening him up.

“Playing against grown men at 16 changes you,” he laughs. “You learn real quick you can’t just rely on skill. You gotta fight.”

That fighting spirit is something Duke fans are already falling in love with. Boozer’s social media mentions are filled with messages from the Cameron Crazies, many of whom see in him the spark they’ve been missing since the program’s last Final Four run. The program itself is in transition, with Scheyer still carving out his identity after taking over from Mike Krzyzewski. In Boozer, he may have found the foundational star to usher in a new era.

“This place means something to me,” Boozer says. “I grew up watching Duke. I’ve seen what it means to wear this jersey. It’s not just basketball—it’s pride, tradition, standard. And now it’s my turn to carry that.”

For all his bravado, Boozer is deeply aware of the moment he’s stepping into. He knows how fast things can change in college basketball. He knows injuries happen, shots stop falling, pressure mounts. But he also knows what he’s capable of.

“I don’t expect everything to go perfect,” he says. “But I promise you this—we’re gonna fight. Every possession. Every game. And when it’s all said and done, people are gonna look back and say, ‘Man, we really slept on them.’”

Until then, Boozer is content to keep working in silence, letting the doubters talk. He’s got practice in the morning, film to study tonight, and weights in between. He’s chasing something bigger than hype or headlines. He’s chasing legacy.

And if he has his way, the name Boozer will soon mean just as much in the present tense as it does in Duke’s past.