Duke’s Cameron Boozer wins 2026 Wooden Award

Cameron Boozer was named the 2026 John R. Wooden Award winner after a historic freshman season at Duke . He becomes the fifth freshman to receive the honor, joining fellow Blue Devils Cooper Flagg and Zion Williamson, and notable basketball stars Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant.

Boozer becomes the ninth Blue Devil to earn the honor. In addition to Flagg and Williamson, he joins former Duke players JJ Redick, Alana Beard (women's), Jay Williams, Shane Battier, Elton Brand and Christian Laettner. Named after legendary UCLA men's basketball head coach John Wooden, the award is an annual honor presented to the most outstanding men's and women's collegiate basketball players in the United States.

Boozer was named a finalist last week and ultimately won the award over fellow finalists Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas), AJ Dybantsa (BYU), Yaxel Lendeborg (Michigan) and Braden Smith (Purdue). Elite freshmen only 🔥 Cam Boozer joins elite company as the fifth freshman to win the men's Wooden Award 🏆 pic.

twitter. com/vBntmH45Oa — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 11, 2026 Winning the award showcases just how dominant Boozer’s freshman season was, especially given the competition among the finalists. Expectations were high coming into his freshman season as Boozer was not only tasked with filling the shoes of another freshman legend , Cooper Flagg, but had to establish his own legacy in the shadow of his father, Carlos Boozer.