CHICAGO — The Boozers debuted in the NBA with Carlos Boozer back in 2002. The former Duke star played in two NBA All-Star games and had a notable 13-season career.

There are two more Boozers projected to be in the NBA as well in former Duke forward Cameron Boozer and his twin brother, Cayden, who will be returning to Duke next season.

Based on Cameron’s NBA projections, he will have the opportunity to raise the Boozer name higher than his father did. Cameron Boozer, the 2026 consensus Naismith Men’s College Basketball Player of the Year, appears ready for the challenge of his namesake as the NBA draft arrives Tuesday in Brooklyn, N.Y.

“Everyone’s going to know you,” Carlos Boozer told Andscape on May 11 during the NBA pre-draft camp. “You go to Durham [North Carolina], everyone knows you because your last name. Part of that is also because of what we’ve done. But when you have someone who’s your father who has had such a great career, a fanbase comes with that. Social media comes with that. Some pressure comes with that.

“Like, ‘Oh, are you going to make it? What are you going to be when you make it?’ But honestly, I see it as a blessing. It’s great to have someone who’s been where you want go, knows what it takes and knows what comes with the good and the bad. So, there’s definitely some weight that comes with it, but that is a lot of good weight to have.”

Cameron Boozer averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game and posted 22 double-doubles as a freshman last season with the Blue Devils. The 6-foot-8, 252-pounder tallied 705 points and 315 rebounds during the regular season, becoming the first Division I freshman in the last 30 years to reach those marks. The Boozer family also includes the eldest son, Carmani, who played baseball at the University of Fort Lauderdale in 2025.

Carlos Boozer was selected in the second round (35th overall) by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2002 NBA draft. ESPN’s Jeremy Woo has Cameron Boozer ranked third overall on his 2026 NBA draft big board.

For Cameron, the unknown of the 2026 NBA draft will make the night interesting for the entire family.

“I’m excited just to hear my name get called, walk across that stage,” Cameron Boozer said. “No idea what that feeling is going to be like. You can be nervous, because you just don’t know where you can end up. It’s not really in your hands.

“But at the end of the day, I’m going to a great situation, regardless of where I go. And I’m just excited for what the future has in store. It seems to be a lot of fun.”

Carlos Boozer said he expects himself and Cameron’s mother, CeCe Boozer, to be in tears when their son is drafted.

“Get the tissue ready, man,” Carlos Boozer told Andscape. “Might be some tears over there because of the journey, the ups and the downs, and the path that he took. And he didn’t duck any smoke. He wanted it all. He faced every challenge, took it head on, and didn’t run from anything.”

Andscape is celebrating Father’s Day and the lead up to the 2026 NBA draft with a Q&A series including some of the draft’s top prospects and their fathers. In this series, the fathers and soon-to-be-drafted sons discuss their relationship through basketball, life lessons, the perceptions of Black fatherhood, their excitement and anxiety regarding the draft, what traits NBA teams are getting on and off the court, and more.

The fathers and sons who participated include the Boozers; former Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr., and his father, Darius Acuff Sr.; former Tennessee forward Nate Ament and his father, Albert Ament; former Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr. and his father, Christopher Brown Sr.; former BYU forward AJ Dybantsa and his father, Anicet “Ace” Dybantsa Sr.; and former Houston guard Kingston Flemings and his father, Demetric “Dee” Flemings. The first day of the draft is Tuesday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

When did you first put a basketball in the twins’ hands? When’s your first recollection of, like, trying to introduce them to the game?

Carlos Boozer: The womb, man. They were born into it. But they played everything. They played football. They played flag football. They played baseball. They played hockey for a couple years. They just always gravitated towards basketball.

Did you have a choice in basketball?

Cameron Boozer: For sure. My older brother ended up playing baseball, so I we definitely had a choice.

When did you fall in love with the game of basketball?

Cameron Boozer: Probably early, like 3, 4 [years old], when we were just kids not even really playing basketball. We were just out there [on the basketball court] dancing, running around in circles, not even like getting into the real [aspect] of the game.

At what point did you say, ‘What I’m seeing from Cameron is different. What I’m seeing is something that could be on the highest level’?

Carlos Boozer: I knew that this one was really special, probably like around like sixth grade. We had him with different trainers that were really good with developing skill sets in the backyard. And he was picking it up faster than everybody else early. And the light bulb went off like seventh, eighth grade, and he just took off from there. And you guys know that the résumé speaks for itself. But I felt like sixth grade and then, after he figured it out, he just ran away with it.

You had some crazy stats at Duke, but you talk about winning first. When did that become your first priority?

Cameron Boozer: I just think part of it is just growing up in a household full of brothers. You kind of compete in everything you do. I’m sure a lot of people feel the same way. When you play your family, you never want to lose to your family, whether it’s like a [basketball] game, a video game, cards, whatever. That’s kind of where the competitiveness comes from.

And then we talk about the stats. When you play the right way and you’re a great player, everything else just kind of follows along and falls into place.

Was there ever a time you played where a fan, someone on social media or elsewhere made a comment about your family name that added pressure?

Cameron Boozer: Probably when I was younger. But honestly, you get over it because when you’re starting to carve out your own way, be your own player, make your own name, it doesn’t really bother you that much. When you’re younger, it might bother you; might bother you a little, might bother you a lot, depending on who you are. But as you start to kind of do your own thing, it’s just part of it.

Forget basketball. What kind of dad is he?

Cameron Boozer: I just think he’s a supportive dad. He’s been there for me, whether it’s basketball or I’m playing the cello at a concert. A lot of what I did has been involved around sports, but I think his support has been there for me. He lets me kind of have my own journey. So that is a good dad.

What kind of cello player was Cameron?

Carlos Boozer: Solid cello player. It was cool like seeing them in middle school doing something different, stepping outside their comfort zone. But they did really well, man. All three of them play the cello.

What does fatherhood mean to you?

Carlos Boozer: Everything. The biggest lesson has been the kids. And obviously, I tell [my ex-wife] CeCe all the time, “Thank you for making me a dad.”’” My biggest legacy has been my kids.

What do you recall from your childhood being raised by your father?

Carlos Boozer: Oh, blessed, man. I came up with a great father. My dad put everything into me. I didn’t have extra trainers, I didn’t have other people. I had my dad. So, I would go to school, come home, work out with my dad. I had one trainer my entire life until I got in the league. So, for me, I saw what a good dad looks like, and I was able to take the good with it and leave the other stuff and try to implement that my own way.

One thing I noticed in the NBA draft every year, which is kind of beautiful, when they introduce you guys, a lot of times now you see the Black father with the son. What do you think the perception has been about Black fathers?

Carlos Boozer: Traditionally, they like to paint it in a negative light. But lately that’s shifted, you know. You see a lot of more Black fathers standing up with their sons or standing up with their daughters and being there and showing up. That narrative has changed dramatically. I love what [Andscape is] doing now, shining light on the positive impact, so that we can inspire the next generation of fathers.

When your dad’s at the Duke games, your mom’s at the game, that’s a lot of games, that’s a lot of traveling. What did that mean to you to see them there?

Cameron Boozer: It means everything. They came to basically every game this [season, and supported] my older brother as well, coming to some of his baseball games. So, I just know people are there supporting me or are there for me. I know I’m very lucky to have it, because not everyone has a support system like I do. So, I’m just super thankful for everyone’s in my corner.

As you talk to NBA teams and they ask you point blank, “Why should we draft you?” what would you tell them?

Cameron Boozer: Well, I’m a winner at every level. My résumé speaks for itself. I think my mind is elite. I feel for the game. So, to these teams, they know all of that already. I don’t think I have to sell myself that much. But I’m going to have fun with the process and enjoy it. [It’s] Something you only get to do once, so it’s going to be a good time.

All these GMs know you. So, when they ask you why should they draft him, and if we don’t, what would you say?

Carlos Boozer: If they miss the boat, they will regret it. This kid is a winner. Basically, the one thing about Cam that separates him from everybody else in the draft is that he’s a guy that the rest of the team will galvanize around because he doesn’t cheat the game. He shows up every single day, he studies the game, he puts his work into it every single day.

He’s as dedicated as you’re ever going to find a player to his craft. And so, because of that, the team will always follow him because he’s the natural leader. And if you’re looking for that, then you’ll find that in him. And if you don’t draft him, then you’re going to regret that.

Your dad once likened you to Hall of Famer Tim Duncan. I’m sure you’re familiar with Duncan. What kind of praise does that mean to you?

Cameron Boozer: That is great praise. Duncan is probably the best power forward who has ever played the game. What he did for that position, the fundamentals, the championships, a guy who kind of people don’t really talk about because he wasn’t that flashy. Tim Duncan is an amazing player. So, to be talked about like that is obviously amazing.

What will it mean to see your sons running down the court with that Boozer name on the back of their jerseys? What does that mean to you?

Carlos Boozer; I’m so proud. I had so many moments already where I just had the chills just watching them. The boys represent and are playing so well. They got farther than we did my freshman year [at Duke]. I was really proud of them. And just to see them representing in their own way, they got their own style.

Thank God they got their good hair from their mama, because I was bald headed. They got the whole Afro Hawk thing. It’s cool seeing them do it in their own way. But it’s also dope to see that name on the back of their jersey.

When Cam gets to the NBA, what lessons have you instilled in him that you know he’s going to take with him wherever he goes?

Carlos Boozer: He’s so fundamentally sound. He has a great focus. He’s not going to get sidetracked. A lot of guys, me included, you get to the NBA and you start to get access to stuff that you didn’t have access to. You start to hang out a little bit. You start to mingle a little bit. He’s so locked in. He may do some of that with his teammates and have a good time. But he’s very disciplined. Very mature. More mature than most 18-year-olds. So, I think he is just gonna be himself, which is what he’s been his whole life.

What Father’s Day mean to you this year being two days before the NBA draft?

Carlos Boozer: For me, just to be able to hang with them. A lot of dads don’t make it to 44. I’m 44 turning 45 in November. To still be able to be here and be a part of their journey and be able to help them along their path and to celebrate their victories and be there when they need me for their losses and their lessons means everything to me. So, it’ll mean a lot more this year because he’s getting drafted and getting a chance to step into a dream that he’s had his whole life, which would be amazing to be there for that. But that’s the biggest thing, is just being able to still be here to support them.

What do you remember about your draft day in 2002 being selected second overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers?

Carlos Boozer: The nerves. The excitement. Then, when you talk to the GM and you talk to the coach. And for me, it was [then-Cavaliers head] coach [John] Lucas, who’s been a family friend since I was basically 20 years old. It was everything, because it’s what you work your butt off for. And then it starts over again. Now you got to go prove yourself, and go be a rookie, go get the donuts, and go get the newspapers, and do all the rookie hazing and stuff.

But then you get a chance to play against the people that you looked up to, you know? For me, it was the Shaquille O’Neals and the Kobe Bryants and the Kevin Garnetts and the Karl Malones. And for [Cameron], he has his favorite players that he’ll get a chance to compete against and maybe play with if they’re on the same team. And then you get to measure yourself against them and see where you stack up.

It’s a sink-or-swim league. No babies allowed. That’s the NBA, right? So, you grow up fast in the NBA, especially the role that he’ll be put into right away. And I just can’t wait to see him be where he wants to be.

What kind of resource is he for you?

Cameron Boozer: It’s a great resource. Someone to talk to, pick his mind. I already have a lot of coaches and guys in my corner. But if you need another opinion, it’s always great to have your dad just be able to talk to and call, especially because of what he’s doing now [Carlos Boozer is a member of the Utah Jazz front office]. You learn a lot about the business, too.

What life lessons from your dad stick with you daily?

Cameron Boozer: The biggest thing is just being where you are, being present. Right now, we’re at the [NBA Pre-Draft] Combine having a good time here. Maxing out here. Whether it’s my time at Duke, my time in high school, it goes by quick. And if you take it for granted, then it just runs out of your hands. So, it’s just about being where you are.

The post Cameron Boozer has support of proud former NBA All-Star dad en route to draft appeared first on Andscape.