You Won’t Believe Which Duke Basketball Star Just Made the USA TODAY Sports All-America Team!

When you hear the name Cameron Boozer, what comes to mind isn’t just another freshman stepping onto a college court — it’s the electrifying potential of a generational talent ready to shake up the ACC and beyond. Standing tall at 6-foot-9 and packing 250 pounds, Boozer is carving out his own legacy at Duke, and it’s no surprise he snagged a spot on the USA TODAY Sports preseason All-American second team. Son of NBA star Carlos Boozer, Cameron’s entrance as a five-star recruit and top power forward prospect has basketball eyes glued on him this season. His explosive exhibition performances, including a jaw-dropping 24-point, 23-rebound game against Tennessee, hint at a player who’s not just here to participate—but to dominate. With Duke ranked No. 5 in the preseason coaches poll, the stage is set for Boozer and the Blue Devils to leave a mark this season. LEARN MORE

Duke basketball‘s Cameron Boozer enters 2025-26 the season as a USA TODAY Sports preseason All-American.

Boozer, a 6-foot-9, 250-pound forward out of Miami, Florida, was named to the USA TODAY Sports preseason second-team, which was released on Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Boozer joins a list of second-team selections that includes Darryn Peterson (Kansas), Labaron Philon (Alabama), Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan) and Zuby Ejiofor (St. John’s). The first team features Braden Smith (Purdue), Otega Oweh (Kentucky), JT Toppin (Texas Tech), AJ Dybantsa (Brigham Young) and Alex Condon (Florida).

The son of former Duke basketball and NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, Boozer came to Duke as a five-star prospect, the third-overall prospect in the 2025 cycle and the top-rated power forward, per ESPN. Along with being named a preseason All-American, Boozer was also named the Preseason ACC Rookie of the Year and is a Preseason First Team All-ACC selection.

Boozer has impressed in both of his showings through the Blue Devils‘ two exhibition wins vs. UCF (96-71) and at Tennessee (83-76). He posted 33 points on 12-of-19 shooting with 12 rebounds in the Oct. 21 win over the Knights, capping exhibition play off with a 24-point, 23-rebound night against the Vols on Oct. 26.

Duke enters the 2025-26 season ranked No. 5 in the the USA Today Sports Preseason Men’s basketball coaches poll. The Blue Devils officially open their season on Tuesday, Nov. 4 vs. Charlotte at the Spectrum Center as part of the Dick Vitale Invitational (8:45 p.m., ESPN).

USA TODAY Sports Preseason All-America team

First team

G Braden Smith, Purdue
G Otega Oweh, Kentucky
F JT Toppin, Texas Tech
F AJ Dybantsa, Brigham Young
C Alex Condon, Florida

Second team

G Darryn Peterson, Kansas
G Labaron Philon, Alabama
F Cameron Boozer, Duke
F Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
C Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s

Anna Snyder covers Duke for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her @annaesnydr on X, formerly known as Twitter.