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Cameron Boozer’s NBA draft outlook is on the rise.
Cameron Boozer’s NBA draft stock now has the Duke star in the running to be the No. 1 pick, but there is plenty of competition. NBA mock drafts have consistently had Boozer projected as a top-five pick.
It appears Boozer’s March Madness run has some analysts pondering whether the Duke big man can unseat BYU’s AJ Dybantsa and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson as the potential No. 1 pick. USA Today’s Bryan Kalbrosky’s latest mock draft predicts the Indiana Pacers will select Boozer with the No. 1 pick.
“Duke freshman Cameron Boozer was one of the best players in college basketball during his first NCAA season and now makes his USA TODAY mock draft pole position debut,” Kalbrosky wrote in a March 26, 2026, mock draft. “According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, rival teams believe Boozer would be the ‘preferred selection’ for the Pacers at No. 1 overall because of his ‘potential fit’ alongside Pascal Siakam and Ivica Zubac.
“The ACC Player of the Year isn’t a human highlight reel but he offers consistency and a diverse, impactful skill set. More importantly, he can bring a culture of winning after multiple championships in high school and an elite Duke team that has made it to the Sweet 16.”
Here’s what you need to know about the latest NBA draft rumors around Boozer.
NBA Draft Rumors: Pacers Could Pair Duke Star Cameron Boozer With Tyrese Haliburton
The move would pair Boozer with Pacers superstar Tyrese Haliburton. The Indiana guard has been sidelined with an Achilles injury which has made the current Pacers season a challenge.
Haliburton remains the face of the Pacers franchise and future of the team. The veteran’s five-year, $244 million contract is slated to run through the 2028-29 NBA season.
Cameron Boozer Is the Son of NBA Legend Carlos Boozer
In addition to his obvious pro skill set, there is plenty to like about Boozer. The Duke big man is the son of NBA legend Carlos Boozer and grew up around pro basketball players, an obvious plus for his NBA draft evaluation.
Boozer is averaging 22.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game in 36 starts during the 2025-26 season. The Duke star is an ideal modern big man thanks to his shooting prowess combined with his ball handling ability.
ESPN’s Jeremy Woo ranks Boozer as his No. 3 NBA prospect while leaving the door open for the Duke star to be the No. 1 pick.
“Although Dybantsa and Peterson are viewed by many around the NBA as stronger candidates, Boozer has his fans and can’t be written off as an option at No. 1,” Woo wrote in a March 24, story titled, “2026 NBA draft stock watch: Which NCAA prospects are rising?” “There are varying opinions on the aesthetics of his game, but little argument around the results he achieves.
“Scouts respect the fact that he boasts the strongest winning résumé of anyone in the draft, having won every possible championship in high school and now in college, with only one remaining. Any team should feel good about selecting a player who has been the central figure in winning games for his entire career to date.”
Jonathan Adams is a veteran sports contributor covering the NFL, NBA and golf for Heavy.com. His work has been prominently featured on NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated. More about Jonathan Adams
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