Cameron and Cayden Boozer Open Up on NBA Childhood

Duke stars Cameron and Cayden Boozer didn’t grow up dreaming about the NBA from afar — they grew up inside it. The twin sons of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer spent much of their childhood around locker rooms, team facilities and playoff games long before they arrived at Duke.

For Cayden, those early experiences helped make basketball feel less like a distant dream and more like a natural part of everyday life.

“I think obviously having a dad playing that major so it puts us in a lot of great situations that we were just able to be around the game for basically our entire lives,” Cayden told Heavy Sports in an exclusive interview.

“Whether that’s going to the Bulls facility or obviously watching playoff games.

“But just think of being around the game for so long, just embedded that love of the game that we have today.”

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How Cameron and Cayden Boozer Grew Up Around the NBA

Their father’s career also set a powerful benchmark.

Carlos Boozer first made his name at Duke, helping the Blue Devils win the 2001 national championship under legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski. Selected in the second round of the 2002 NBA Draft, Boozer went on to carve out a 13-year career in the league.

At his peak with the Utah Jazz, Boozer became a two-time All-Star and one of the NBA’s most productive power forwards, averaging more than 20 points and 10 rebounds in multiple seasons. He later played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, finishing his career with averages of 16.2 points and 9.5 rebounds.

For Cameron and Cayden, that résumé represents both inspiration and expectation — a reminder of the level they hope to reach themselves.

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Watching Derrick Rose Up Close

Some of the twins’ earliest basketball memories were shaped by watching elite NBA players from just a few feet away.

For Cameron, one player who stood out was former MVP Derrick Rose.

“Growing up, being in a family room at NBA arenas, seeing great players like Derrick Rose growing up — it just brings a love for the game out of you,” Cameron told Heavy Sports.

Seeing players of that caliber up close made the NBA feel real long before the twins ever became prospects themselves.

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NBA Stars Who Shaped Their Games

As they developed their own identities as players, the Boozer twins also looked to several NBA stars for inspiration.

For Cameron, one player in particular stands out.

“My favorite team is Duke basketball, for sure,” Cameron said. “And then I would say one of the players is Anthony Davis.”

Cayden gravitated toward another former MVP known for his relentless motor.

“I think one of my favorite players is Russell Westbrook,” Cayden said.

“I just feel like he’s always been a really elite player, plays really hard and just does whatever his team needs him to do.”

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Cameron and Cayden Boozer Carry Carlos Boozer’s Legacy at Duke

Now starring for the Blue Devils, the Boozer twins are beginning to build their own national profile.

Cameron has emerged as one of the most dominant players in college basketball this season, averaging 22.7 points and 10.2 rebounds per game while helping Duke climb to the No. 1 ranking in the nation.

READ: Duke Star Cameron Boozer Speaks Out on No. 1 Pick Race as March Madness Nears

With Selection Sunday approaching, Duke is widely projected to earn one of the four No. 1 seeds in the upcoming NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament.

As their popularity continues to grow, Cameron and Cayden have also begun attracting attention beyond the court. The twins recently appeared together in a national advertising campaign with State Farm, starring in the brand’s “Will You Be There?” basketball commercial — another sign of their rising visibility in the sport.

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The Next Step Toward the NBA

Still, the Boozer twins understand that legacy alone won’t define their path.

Their father’s career provided a blueprint, but Cameron and Cayden are focused on carving out their own place in basketball.

The foundation was laid years ago inside NBA arenas, where they first learned what the game demands.

Now, with Duke entering March Madness as the nation’s top-ranked team, the spotlight is only growing brighter.

And for the Boozer twins, the NCAA tournament may represent more than just a championship pursuit — it could be the final stage before the next step in their journey toward the NBA.

Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo