The NBA Draft conversation is already intensifying around Cameron Boozer, with the Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball standout firmly positioned in a competitive race for the projected No. 1 overall pick.
Boozer recently spoke with Heavy Sports during an exclusive interview while promoting State Farm’s “Will You Be There?” campaign alongside his twin brother, Cayden Boozer.
Early scouting discussions have largely centered on three top prospects: Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson of the Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball, and AJ Dybantsa from the BYU Cougars men’s basketball. Each prospect offers a unique set of skills as scouts evaluate the next generation of potential NBA franchise stars.
Despite the growing draft chatter, Boozer insists the projections are not occupying his attention as Duke approaches the most crucial part of the season.
“I’m not really focusing on that,” Boozer told Heavy Sports. “I’m just focusing on what I got to do to help my team win right now.”
“Obviously, we have some big games coming up, so I’ll just kind of do whatever I can to help my team win.”
Boozer Making His Case for No. 1 Pick
The 6-foot-9 forward, and son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, arrived at Duke with massive expectations after an impressive amateur résumé that included multiple FIBA gold medals and youth-level MVP honors.
So far, Boozer has lived up to the hype. He has delivered one of the most productive seasons in college basketball while helping lead Duke to a 29–2 record heading into NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament.
When asked what separates him from Peterson and Dybantsa in the debate for the No. 1 pick, Boozer offered a simple response.
“I’ll just say that I’m a winner,” Boozer told Heavy Sports. “At every level I’ve played at, and I’ll continue at the next level.”
Mock Drafts Split on Boozer’s Projection
Even with Boozer’s dominant production, mock drafts remain divided on his projected landing spot.
In his March 10 mock draft for Bleacher Report, NBA draft analyst Jonathan Wasserman placed Boozer as the No. 2 overall prospect behind AJ Dybantsa.
Wasserman pointed to Boozer’s versatility, noting he is shooting 40.4 percent from three-point range on similar volume to Dybantsa while posting an assist percentage more than double that of Darryn Peterson. Data from Synergy Sports also places Boozer in the 90th percentile or better in both ball-screen and isolation possessions, highlighting his ability to attack defenses both inside and on the perimeter.
“He’s been the ultimate mismatch—overpowering inside, skilled around the perimeter and smart inside the defense making passing reads,” Wasserman wrote.
However, some scouts remain cautious about Boozer’s long-term ceiling, questioning whether his explosiveness and defensive range will translate as effectively at the next level.
ESPN Mock Draft Lists Boozer at No. 3
In a separate March 10 mock draft for ESPN, NBA draft analyst Jeremy Woo ranked Boozer No. 3 overall behind Peterson and Dybantsa.
“Boozer, the ACC Player and Rookie of the Year, has made a loud argument for himself as the best player in college basketball and would provide excellent value if he falls to No. 3,” Woo wrote.
Woo added that Boozer’s historic offensive production has come while serving as the centerpiece of a Duke team with legitimate national title hopes, excelling across nearly every major scoring and playmaking category.
Still, Woo reported that NBA evaluators remain split. Some view Boozer as a future franchise cornerstone, while others see him developing into a high-level secondary star due to concerns about his explosiveness and lateral defensive coverage.
Pacers Could Be Possible Landing Spot
Both Wasserman and Woo identified the Indiana Pacers as a potential landing spot if Boozer were selected at No. 2 or No. 3.
Indiana’s recent trade for center Ivica Zubac added intrigue to the team’s draft outlook. The Pacers’ upcoming pick must be sent to the Los Angeles Clippers if it falls between Nos. 5 and 9.
If the Pacers retain the selection, Woo suggested that pairing Boozer with All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton could help push Indiana back into playoff contention.
Cayden Boozer Could Return to Duke
While Cameron continues to appear prominently in early mock drafts, Cayden has not yet been widely projected as a lottery selection, leaving the possibility open that he could return to Duke for another season before declaring for the NBA Draft.
“There’s a lot of season left, so we’ll see what happens at the end of the season,” Cayden told Heavy Sports. “But right now, just focusing on what I can do each and every day to get better.”
For Cameron, the approach remains simple: focus on winning now and let the draft discussion sort itself out later.