Duke freshman Cameron Boozer named AP Player of Year

Field Level Media|published: Fri 3rd April, 15:23 2026

Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) reacts in the first half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Cameron Boozer's dominating freshman season at Duke earned the power forward the Associated Press' men's college basketball Player of the Year Award.

Boozer, 18, averaged 22.5 points with 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 38 games (all starts) for the Blue Devils, who finished the season with a 35-3 record.

Boozer scored 27 points on 10-of-21 shooting with eight rebounds in the East Regional final, but Duke was eliminated by UConn 73-72 as the Huskies completed a late rally.

The Blue Devils won the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title with a 17-1 record and won the conference tournament as well.

Boozer becomes just the fifth freshman to win the AP Player of the Year Award and second consecutive from Duke after Cooper Flagg earned the honor in his only college season.

Boozer and Flagg are two of nine Duke players who have earned the honor, the most in college basketball.

After attending Christopher Columbus High School in Westchester, Fla., where he was named Florida Mr. Basketball and the Gatorade National Player of the Year, Boozer enrolled at Duke with his twin brother Cayden.

The twins are the sons of 13-year NBA player Carlos Boozer, who was a two-time All-Star during his six seasons with the Utah Jazz. The elder Boozer, who averaged 16.2 points with 9.5 rebounds in 861 career games, also played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers.

--Field Level Media