Duke's Cameron Boozer wins men's Naismith Award for player of the year
Boozer averaged a double-double as Duke earned the top seed in the 2026 NCAA tournament.
Cameron Boozer’s fantastic freshman season has earned him the Naismith Award for college basketball’s men’s player of the year. The Duke forward was given the award on Sunday after he averaged 22. 5 points and 10.
2 rebounds a game in 2025-26. Duke narrowly missed out on advancing to the Final Four after UConn stunned the Blue Devils 73-72 in the Elite Eight. “I’m incredibly honored to receive the Naismith Player of the Year Award,” Boozer said in a statement.
“When you think about the history of this award and all the great players who’ve been recognized before, it really puts things in perspective. It’s something I don’t take lightly. This game has given me so much, and I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by amazing teammates, coaches, and a family that’s supported me every step of the way.
They’ve challenged me, believed in me, and helped me grow not just as a player, but as a person. I know I still have a long way to go, and this recognition just motivates me to keep working and do everything I can to keep improving every day. ” Boozer’s strong season powered Duke to the ACC regular season and tournament titles along with the No.