Duke’s Cameron Boozer Achieves Freshman Feat Cooper Flagg Never Reached…Read More….

Duke’s Cameron Boozer Achieves Freshman Feat Cooper Flagg Never Reached…Read More….

Comparisons are inevitable in Durham. At a program defined by icons, prodigies, and one-and-done sensations, every new star enters Cameron Indoor Stadium carrying not just expectations—but a legacy to measure up against. And when that legacy includes Cooper Flagg, last season’s most hyped recruit in a decade, the shadow grows even longer. But on Tuesday night, Duke’s latest phenom stepped out of it.

Cameron Boozer, the 6’9” forward with the poise of a senior and the motor of a rising superstar, accomplished the one milestone Flagg—despite his brilliance—never reached during his freshman campaign. With Duke’s nail-biting victory over a ranked opponent, Boozer notched his third consecutive 25-point, 10-rebound performance, a mark unmatched by any Duke freshman since the modern statistical era began. Flagg, though spectacular in flashes, never crossed that three-game double-double scoring threshold.

For Boozer, the accomplishment is more than a line in the record books. It signals a shift in Duke’s season, identity, and ceiling. What looked like a team in transition now appears to be a team with a cornerstone.

The game itself had all the volatility of Cameron in full roar. Duke trailed early, struggling to contain a veteran-heavy backcourt that pushed the pace and dared the Blue Devils to respond. Boozer answered repeatedly. With Duke down eight in the first half, he erupted on a personal 7–0 run—two strong finishes through contact and a deep mid-range jumper—to stabilize the offense. By halftime, he had 14 points and seven rebounds, already threatening another monster night.

Flagg comparisons resurfaced quickly on social media, where every Boozer spin move, chase-down rebound, and high-IQ defensive rotation was clipped and reposted within seconds. But inside the locker room, the freshman brushed off the noise.

“I’m just playing my role,” Boozer said postgame. “Duke has a long history of great players. I’m trying to write my own chapter, not rewrite anyone else’s.”

Still, the chapter is writing itself. Boozer’s physicality has exceeded early-season expectations, allowing Duke to run its offense through him even against elite size. His court awareness—arguably his most underrated strength—has helped streamline Duke’s ball movement and unlock better spacing around the perimeter. And defensively, he’s evolving at a pace that has impressed even Jon Scheyer.

“He sees the game two plays ahead,” Scheyer said. “That’s rare for any player, let alone a freshman. He’s earning everything he’s getting.”

As the second half tightened, Boozer dominated the glass, creating second-chance opportunities that ultimately proved decisive. His final stat line—27 points, 13 rebounds, and a pair of momentum-shifting blocks—cemented the performance as one of the defining nights of Duke’s season.

Cooper Flagg’s name will always linger in comparison because that’s the nature of Duke basketball. Stars beget stars. But Tuesday proved something deeper: Boozer isn’t following Flagg’s path. He’s forging a new one—quieter, steadier, and already more historically productive.

With Duke still undefeated, the conversation no longer centers on what Boozer might become. The question now: How far can he carry this team?