Duke deserving of extra buzz? Cameron Boozer believes so.
Boozer, the following five-star prospect who may lead the Blue Devils to the Ultimate 4, informed ESPN on Wednesday his crew has been “ignored” this offseason.
Boozer, the son of former Duke and NBA standout Carlos Boozer, will be part of his twin brother Cayden, additionally a five-star prospect, and a fleet of veterans who will attempt to assist coach Jon Scheyer win his first nationwide championship.
A reloaded Duke squad has not been broadly seen as a preseason Ultimate 4 candidate, which Boozer stated is an oversight of a crew that has all of the items to win the title.
“I feel we’ve a particular group,” stated Boozer, the reigning Gatorade Nationwide Participant of the 12 months. “I feel we’re very ignored proper now, however as soon as the season begins, that’ll change for certain … I feel simply enjoying collectively, enjoying arduous, defending, competing, we will be in a spot to get [to the Final Four] identical to they did final 12 months.”
Duke, which misplaced to Houston within the Ultimate 4 after an exciting rally by the Cougars within the remaining minutes, has been included in each respected preseason top-25 ballot. However the Blue Devils misplaced three first-round picks and 5 gamers total to the 2025 NBA draft.
Because of this, they may enter the 2025-26 season ranked exterior the highest 10 within the Related Press preseason ballot for the primary time for the reason that 2007-08 season, when the crew debuted at thirteenth.
Boozer is in Los Angeles this week with Gatorade as a part of the Gatorade Participant of the 12 months Awards and the ESPYs. He stated the journey has helped him join with different prime athletes who’ve excelled in different sports activities.
Final 12 months, Cooper Flagg earned Gatorade Nationwide Participant of the 12 months honors earlier than main Duke to the Ultimate 4 and changing into the No. 1 decide within the draft.
Boozer stated Duke’s loss in San Antonio was heartbreaking.
“I used to be positively shocked when it occurred and type of the way in which it occurred for certain,” Boozer informed ESPN. “I do not assume anybody actually anticipated that to occur in that final minute, however it was loopy to observe. After which as soon as the sport ended, we knew that it was going to be on us now to get the crew again there, so it made me excited, on the identical time feeling unhappy, but in addition simply tremendous excited for the season and what’s to return.”
To this point, the Blue Devils have constructed chemistry and grown throughout their time along with Boozer as their new younger chief. One supply near this system stated Boozer most resembles Paolo Banchero, who led Duke to the Ultimate 4 in 2022 and not too long ago signed a most rookie contract extension with the Orlando Magic.
Boozer stated Duke has a chip on its shoulder after feeling prefer it has not earned the preseason acknowledgement it deserves.
“We now have an enormous chip as a result of we all know that we’ve the expertise and the crew to be one of the best crew within the nation, and I usually really feel like we would be the greatest crew within the nation,” Boozer stated. “In order that places an enormous chip on us that persons are overlooking us saying that we’re not the crew we have been final 12 months and every part like that. I really feel like everybody will see that after the season comes, however we’re not too nervous about stuff like that.”