5-star Boozer: Duke ‘ignored,’ but not for long

• Myron MedcalfJul 16, 2025, 06:00 PM ET Close Myron Medcalf covers college basketball for ESPN.com. He signed up with ESPN in 2011.

Duke deserving of more buzz? Cameron Boozer thinks so.Boozer, the next luxury prospect who might lead the Blue Devils to the Last Four, told ESPN on Wednesday that his group has actually been”neglected “this offseason.Boozer, the kid of previous Duke and NBA standout Carlos Boozer, will join his twin sibling Cayden, also a five-star prospect, and a fleet of veterans who will try to help coach Jon Scheyer win his very first nationwide championship.Editor’s Picks 2 Related A refilled Duke squad has actually not been extensively

considered as a preseason

Last 4

prospect, which Boozer stated is an oversight of a group that has all the pieces to win the title.”I think we have an unique group,”said Boozer, the reigning Gatorade National Player of the Year.

“I think we’re really neglected today, but once the season starts, that’ll alter for sure. … I think simply playing together, playing hard, safeguarding, contending, we’re going to be in a spot to get [to the Last 4] much like they did in 2015. “Duke, which lost to Houston in the Final 4 after a

thrilling rally by the Cougars in the last minutes, has actually been included in every respectable preseason top-25 poll. But the Blue Devils lost three first-round choices and 5 players overall to the 2025 NBA draft.As a result, Duke might enter the 2025-26 season ranked outside the top 10 in the

Associated Press preseason survey for the very first time given that the 2007-08 season, when the group debuted at 13th. Boozer is in Los Angeles this week with Gatorade as part of the Gatorade Player of the Year Awards and The ESPYS. He stated the journey has assisted him get in touch with other leading professional athletes who have mastered other sports.Last year, Cooper Flagg made Gatorade National Gamer of the Year honors before leading Duke to the Last Four and ending up being the No. 1 pick in the

draft.” When the game ended, we understood that it

was going to be on us now to get the group back there,”incoming freshman Cameron Boozer said of Duke’s loss to Houston in the Final 4 last season. Bob Donnan/Imagn Images Boozer said Duke’s loss in San Antonio was heartbreaking.”I was absolutely shocked when it occurred and sort of the method it happened for sure,”Boozer informed ESPN.” I don’t believe anybody actually expected that to occur because eleventh hour, however it was crazy to enjoy. And after that as soon as the game ended, we knew that it was going to be on us now to get the group back there, so it made me thrilled, at the very same time feeling unfortunate, but also just extremely excited for the season and what’s to come.”So far, the Blue Devils have actually constructed chemistry and grown throughout their

time together with Boozer as their brand-new young leader. One source near to the program said Boozer most looks like Paolo Banchero, who led Duke to the Last Four in 2022 and recently signed an optimum rookie agreement extension with the Orlando Magic.Boozer said Duke has a chip on its shoulder after feeling like it has not made the preseason acknowledgment it should have.”We have a big chip since we understand that we have the talent and the group to be the best team in the country, and I

usually seem like we will be the best team in the nation,” Boozer said.”So that puts a huge chip on us that people are neglecting us saying that we’re not the team we were in 2015 and everything like that. I seem like everybody will see that as soon as the season comes, but we’re not too concerned about stuff like that.”