Cameron Boozer has assist of proud former NBA All-Star dad en path to draft

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CHICAGO — Carlos Boozer introduced the Boozer title to the NBA in 2002. The former Duke star performed in two NBA All-Star Games and had a notable 13-season profession.

There are two extra Boozers projected to be within the NBA as effectively in former Duke ahead Cameron Boozer and his twin brother, Cayden, who shall be returning to Duke subsequent stretch.

Cameron is projected to lift the Boozer title greater than his father did. The 2026 consensus Naismith Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year seems prepared for that problem because the NBA draft arrives Tuesday in Brooklyn, N.Y.

“Everyone’s going to know you,” Carlos Boozer instructed Andscape on May 11 through the NBA pre-draft camp. “You go to Durham [North Carolina], everybody is aware of you due to your final title. Part of that can also be due to what we’ve achieved. But when you will have somebody who’s your father who has had such an important profession, a fanbase comes with that. Social media comes with that. Some stress comes with that.

“Like, ‘Oh, are you going to make it? What are you going to be when you make it?’ But honestly, I see it as a blessing. It’s great to have someone who’s been where you want to go, knows what it takes, and knows what comes with the good and the bad. So, there’s definitely some weight that comes with it, but that is a lot of good weight to have.”

Cameron Boozer averaged 22.5 factors, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per matchup and posted 22 double-doubles as a freshman final stretch with the Blue Devils. A 6-foot-8, 252-pound ahead, he had 705 factors and 315 rebounds through the common stretch, turning into the primary Division I freshman previously 30 years to succeed in these marks. The Boozer household additionally contains the eldest son, Carmani, who performed baseball on the University of Fort Lauderdale in 2025.

Carlos Boozer was chosen within the second spherical (thirty fifth general) by the Cleveland Cavaliers within the 2002 NBA draft. ESPN’s Jeremy Woo has Cameron Boozer ranked third general on his 2026 NBA draft massive board.

For Cameron, the unknown of the 2026 NBA draft will make the night time attention-grabbing for the complete household.

“I’m excited just to hear my name get called, walk across that stage,” Cameron Boozer stated. “No concept what that feeling goes to be like. You could be nervous, since you simply don’t know the place you may find yourself. It’s not likely in your palms.

“But at the end of the day, I’m going to a great situation, regardless of where I go. And I’m just excited for what the future has in store. It seems to be a lot of fun.”

Carlos Boozer stated he expects himself and Cameron’s mom, CeCe Boozer, to be in tears when their son is drafted.

“Get the tissue ready, man,” Carlos Boozer instructed Andscape. “Might be some tears over there because of the journey, the ups and the downs, and the path that he took. And he didn’t duck any smoke. He wanted it all. He faced every challenge, took it head on, and didn’t run from anything.”

Andscape is celebrating Father’s Day and the carry as much as the 2026 NBA draft with a Q&A sequence together with a number of the draft’s prime prospects and their fathers. In this sequence, the fathers and soon-to-be-drafted sons focus on their relationship by basketball, life classes, and the perceptions of Black fatherhood. They additionally discover pleasure and anxiousness relating to the draft, what traits NBA groups search on and off the courtroom, and extra.

The fathers and sons who participated embody the Boozers; former Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr., and his father, Darius Acuff Sr.; former Tennessee ahead Nate Ament and his father, Albert Ament; former Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. and his father, Christopher Brown Sr.; former BYU ahead AJ Dybantsa and his father, Anicet “Ace” Dybantsa Sr.; and former Houston guard Kingston Flemings and his father, Demetric “Dee” Flemings. The draft’s first spherical begins Tuesday at 8 p.m., ET, on the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Carlos Boozer (left) stated he expects himself and CeCe Boozer (proper) to be in tears when their son Cameron (middle) is drafted.Cassy Athena/Getty Images

When did you first put a basketball within the twins’ palms? When’s your first recollection of, like, attempting to introduce them to the matchup?

Carlos Boozer: The womb, man. They had been born into it. But they performed all the things. They performed the ball. They performed flag the ball. They performed baseball. They performed hockey for a pair years. They simply all the time gravitated in direction of basketball.

Did you will have a selection in basketball?

Cameron Boozer: For certain. My older brother ended up enjoying baseball, so I undoubtedly had a selection.

When did you fall in love with the matchup of basketball?

Cameron Boozer: Probably early, like 3, 4 [years old], after we had been simply youngsters not even actually enjoying basketball. We had been simply on the market [on the basketball court] dancing, working round in circles, not even like stepping into the true [aspect] of the matchup.

At what level did you say, ‘What I’m seeing from Cameron is completely different. What I’m seeing is one thing that could possibly be on the best stage’?

Carlos Boozer: I knew that this one was actually particular, in all probability like round like sixth grade. We had him with completely different trainers that had been actually good with growing talent units within the yard. And he was selecting it up sooner than all people else early. And the sunshine bulb went off like seventh, eighth grade, and he simply took off from there. And you guys know that the résumé speaks for itself. But I felt like sixth grade after which, after he figured it out, he simply ran away with it.

You had some loopy stats at Duke, however you speak about successful first. When did that develop into your first precedence?

Cameron Boozer: I simply assume a part of it’s simply rising up in a family stuffed with brothers. You sort of compete in all the things you do. I’m certain lots of people really feel the identical means. When you sequence your loved ones, you by no means need to forfeit to your loved ones, whether or not it’s like a [basketball] matchup, a video matchup, playing cards, no matter. That’s sort of the place the competitiveness comes from.

And then we speak in regards to the stats. When you sequence the best means and also you’re an important competitor, all the things else simply sort of follows alongside and falls into place.

Was there ever a time you performed the place a fan, somebody on social media or elsewhere made a remark about your loved ones title that added stress?

Cameron Boozer: Probably after I was youthful. But actually, you recover from it as a result of whenever you’re beginning to carve out your personal means, be your personal competitor, make your personal title, it doesn’t actually trouble you that a lot. When you’re youthful, it’d trouble you — may trouble you a bit, may trouble you numerous, relying on who you’re. But as you begin to sort of do your personal factor, it’s simply a part of it.

Forget basketball. What sort of dad is he?

Cameron Boozer: I simply assume he’s a supportive dad. He’s been there for me, whether or not it’s basketball or I’m enjoying the cello at a live performance. Numerous what I did has been concerned round sports activities, however I feel his assist has been there for me. He lets me sort of have my very own journey. So that may be a good dad.

What sort of cello competitor was Cameron?

Carlos Boozer: Solid cello competitor. It was cool like seeing them in center faculty doing one thing completely different, stepping exterior their consolation zone. But they did rather well, man. All three of them sequence the cello.

Cameron Boozer posted 22 double-doubles as a freshman final stretch with the Duke Blue Devils.Carmen Mandato for ESPN

What does fatherhood imply to you?

Carlos Boozer: Everything. The largest lesson has been the children. And clearly, I inform [my ex-wife] CeCe on a regular basis, “Thank you for making me a dad.” My largest legacy has been my youngsters.

What do you recall out of your childhood being raised by your father?

Carlos Boozer: Oh, blessed, man. I got here up with an important father. My dad put all the things into me. I didn’t have additional trainers, I didn’t produce other folks. I had my dad. So, I might go to highschool, come residence, work out with my dad. I had one coach my whole life till I received within the league. So, for me, I noticed what dad appears to be like like, and I used to be capable of take the great with it and go away the opposite stuff and attempt to implement that my very own means.

One factor I observed within the NBA draft yearly, which is sort of stunning, once they introduce you guys, lots of instances now you see the Black father with the son. What do you assume the notion has been about Black fathers?

Carlos Boozer: Traditionally, they like to color it in a damaging gentle. But these days that’s shifted, you understand. You see much more Black fathers standing up with their sons or standing up with their daughters and being there and displaying up. That narrative has modified dramatically. I really like what [Andscape is] doing now, shining gentle on the constructive influence, in order that we will encourage the subsequent technology of fathers.

When your dad’s on the Duke video games, your mother’s on the matchup, that’s lots of video games and lots of touring. What did that imply to you to see them there?

Cameron Boozer: It means all the things. They got here to principally each matchup this [season, and supported] my older brother as effectively, coming to a few of his baseball video games. So, I simply know individuals are there supporting me or are there for me. I do know I’m very fortunate to have it, as a result of not everybody has a assist system like I do. So, I’m simply tremendous grateful for everybody’s in my nook.

As you speak to NBA groups they usually ask you level clean, ‘Why ought to we draft you? ‘What would you inform them?‘

Cameron Boozer: Well, I’m a winner at each stage. My résumé speaks for itself. I feel my thoughts is elite. I really feel for the matchup. So, to those groups, they know all of that already. I don’t assume I’ve to promote myself that a lot. But I’m going to have enjoyable with the method and luxuriate in it. [It’s] one thing you solely get to do as soon as, so it’s going to be time.

All these GMs know you. So, once they ask you why ought to they draft him, and if we don’t, what would you say?

Carlos Boozer: If they miss the boat, they are going to remorse it. This child is a winner. Basically, the one factor about Cam that separates him from all people else within the draft is that he’s a man that the remainder of the roster will impress round as a result of he doesn’t cheat the matchup. He reveals up each single day, he research the matchup, he places his work into it each single day.

He’s as devoted as you’re ever going to discover a competitor to his craft. And so, due to that, the roster will all the time comply with him as a result of he’s the pure chief. And in the event you’re searching for that, you then’ll discover that in him. And in the event you don’t draft him, you then’re going to remorse that.

Your dad as soon as likened you to Hall of Famer Tim Duncan. I’m certain you’re acquainted with Duncan. What sort of reward does that imply to you?

Cameron Boozer: That is nice reward. Duncan might be the most effective energy ahead who has ever performed the matchup. What he did for that place, the basics, the championships, a man who sort of folks don’t actually speak about as a result of he wasn’t that flashy. Tim Duncan is a tremendous competitor. So, to be talked about like that’s clearly wonderful.

What will it imply to see your sons working down the courtroom with that Boozer title on the again of their jerseys? What does that imply to you?

Carlos Boozer: I’m so proud. I had so many moments already the place I simply had the chills simply watching them. The boys characterize and are enjoying so effectively. They received farther than we did my freshman 12 months [at Duke]. I used to be actually pleased with them. And simply to see them representing in their very own means, they received their very own type.

Thank God they received their good hair from their mama, as a result of I used to be bald-headed. They received the entire Afro hawk factor. It’s cool seeing them do it in their very own means. But it’s additionally dope to see that title on the again of their jersey.

When Cam will get to the NBA, what classes have you ever instilled in him that you understand he’s going to take with him wherever he goes?

Carlos Boozer: He’s so essentially sound. He has an important focus. He’s not going to get sidetracked. Numerous guys, me included, you get to the NBA and also you begin to get entry to stuff that you just didn’t have entry to. You begin to hang around a bit bit. You begin to mingle a bit bit. He’s so locked in. He might do a few of that together with his teammates and have time. But he’s very disciplined. Very mature. More mature than most 18-year-olds. So, I feel he’s simply going to be himself, which is what he’s been his complete life.

What Father’s Day imply to you this 12 months being two days earlier than the NBA draft?

Carlos Boozer: For me, simply to have the ability to hold with them. Numerous dads don’t make it to 44. I’m 44, turning 45 in November. To nonetheless have the ability to be right here and be part of their journey and have the ability to assist them alongside their path and to have a good time their victories and be there once they want me for his or her losses and their classes means all the things to me. So, it’ll imply much more this 12 months as a result of he’s getting drafted and getting an opportunity to step right into a dream that he’s had his complete life, which might be wonderful to be there for that. But that’s the most important factor, is simply with the ability to nonetheless be right here to assist them.

What do you bear in mind about your draft day in 2002, being chosen second general by the Cleveland Cavaliers?

Carlos Boozer: The nerves. The pleasure. Then, whenever you speak to the GM and also you speak to the play-caller. And for me, it was [then-Cavaliers head] play-caller [John] Lucas, who’s been a household pal since I used to be principally 20 years outdated. It was all the things, as a result of it’s what you’re employed your butt off for. And then it begins over once more. Now you bought to go show your self, and go be a rookie, go get the donuts, and go get the newspapers, and do all of the rookie hazing and stuff.

But you then get an opportunity to sequence towards the folks that you just appeared as much as, you understand? For me, it was the Shaquille O’Neals and the Kobe Bryants and the Kevin Garnetts and the Karl Malones. And for [Cameron], he has his favourite gamers that he’ll get an opportunity to compete towards and perhaps sequence with in the event that they’re on the identical roster. And you then get to measure your self towards them and see the place you stack up.

It’s a sink-or-swim league. No infants allowed. That’s the NBA, proper? So, you develop up quick within the NBA, particularly the position that he’ll be put into straight away. And I simply can’t wait to see him be the place he needs to be.

What sort of useful resource is he for you?

Cameron Boozer: It’s an important useful resource. Someone to speak to, choose his thoughts. I have already got lots of coaches and guys in my nook. But in the event you want one other opinion, it’s all the time nice to have your dad simply have the ability to speak to and name, particularly due to what he’s doing now [Carlos Boozer is a member of the Utah Jazz front office]. You be taught loads in regards to the enterprise, too.

What life classes out of your dad stick to you day by day?

Cameron Boozer: The largest factor is simply being the place you’re, being current. Right now, we’re on the [NBA predraft] mix having time right here. Maxing out right here. Whether it’s my time at Duke, my time in highschool, it goes by fast. And in the event you take it with no consideration, then it simply runs out of your palms. So, it’s nearly being the place you’re.

Marc J. Spears is the senior NBA author for Andscape. He used to have the ability to dunk on you, however he hasn’t been capable of in years and his knees nonetheless damage.