**Gatorade Player of the Year Cameron Boozer Believes Duke Basketball Is Overlooked Heading Into 2025-26, But Insists That Perception Will Change**
Cameron Boozer, the reigning Gatorade National Player of the Year and one of the most highly touted recruits in the class of 2025, has heard the chatter. As Duke basketball prepares for the upcoming season, the outside narrative suggests that the Blue Devils are no longer the undisputed powerhouse they once were. Some analysts have pointed to reloading rivals like Kansas, Alabama, and UConn as the teams to beat, while others question whether Duke’s young core—headlined by Boozer himself—has the experience to compete for a national title. But the 6’9” forward isn’t buying it.
“People are sleeping on us,” Boozer says with quiet confidence. “And that’s fine. We’ll let them talk now. But once the season starts, they’ll see.”
It’s easy to understand why some might overlook Duke. The program lost key contributors from last year’s Elite Eight squad, including multi-year standouts and NBA Draft picks. Meanwhile, Coach Jon Scheyer’s 2025 recruiting class, while elite, is built around youth—Boozer, along with dynamic guard Cayden Boozer (his twin brother) and five-star wing Cooper Flagg, form the nucleus of a roster that will rely heavily on freshman talent. In an era where veteran teams often have the edge in March, skepticism about Duke’s ability to contend is understandable.
But Cameron Boozer isn’t just any freshman. The son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, he has been groomed for this stage his entire life. A polished scorer with a relentless motor, advanced footwork, and a high basketball IQ, he doesn’t play like a typical first-year player. His dominance at the high school level—where he led Columbus High School (FL) to back-to-back state titles while putting up staggering numbers—has only reinforced the belief that he’s ready to make an immediate impact in college.
“I’ve never been the type to shy away from competition,” Boozer says. “The guys we have coming in, the returning players—we all have that same mindset. We know what Duke basketball represents, and we’re not here to rebuild. We’re here to win.”
That confidence is shared by his teammates. Flagg, the No. 1 overall recruit in some rankings, brings versatility and defensive intensity, while Cayden Boozer is a playmaking guard with elite court vision. Add in returning contributors like sophomore big man Khaman Maluach and junior guard Isaiah Evans, and Duke’s roster has the perfect blend of high-ceiling talent and key experience.
Still, the narrative persists. Some point to Scheyer’s relative inexperience compared to coaching legends like Bill Self or Dan Hurley. Others argue that the ACC isn’t as strong as it once was, leaving Duke untested before tournament play. But Boozer sees those doubts as fuel.
“We know what people are saying,” he admits. “But we don’t need outside noise to motivate us. The standard at Duke is championships. That’s what we’re working toward every day.”
History suggests that counting out Duke is a mistake. The program has consistently been in the national title conversation, and Scheyer has already proven he can develop elite talent. The 2025-26 squad might be young, but it’s also one of the most talented collections of players in the country. And if Boozer lives up to the hype, the narrative around this team will shift quickly.
“Once we step on the court, everything else will take care of itself,” Boozer says. “People can overlook us now, but they won’t for long.”
By March, the college basketball world may very well remember why Duke is always a threat. And Cameron Boozer plans to be at the center of that resurgence.
