LAS VEGAS (United States) – Cam Boozer has been regarded as one of the brightest prospects in American basketball from an early age. After dominating the high school ranks, starring at Duke and earning MVP honors in two FIBA youth competitions, the power forward (son of former NBA star Carlos Boozer) is now embarking on a new chapter in the world's top basketball league with the Memphis Grizzlies. During the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Boozer spoke with FIBA Americas about his first impressions as a professional player, the continued growth of international basketball and the goals he has set for his rookie season.
Selected with the third overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Boozer enters the league following an outstanding season at Duke, where he averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, was named National Player of the Year and led the Blue Devils to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. Long before that, he had already left his mark with the United States national team. In 2023, he was named MVP of the FIBA U16 AmeriCup after leading USA to the continental title. One year later, he repeated the feat by earning MVP honors at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup, cementing his status as one of the top talents of his generation. Now the next challenge is carving out his place in the NBA, a milestone he describes as the reward for years of hard work.
"It feels amazing being here. Obviously, I worked so hard to get here. There are a lot of new guys on the roster this year, so it's been a lot of fun,” he said. "It's been a dream come true. Seeing all the general managers and coaches out here as well, so it's a great feeling for sure." Boozer also addressed the growing presence of international players in the NBA and highlighted his Grizzlies teammate Karim Lopez of Mexico as another example of the league's expanding global reach. "When you see the NBA today, more and more international guys are coming in every year. Just to see the growth of the game expand so worldwide, it's huge… As the game grows, you got Karim, the first Mexican-born player to be drafted (first round). That's a huge thing for sure, so it's great to see." Despite the expectations surrounding his arrival in the league, Boozer is approaching this new stage with patience and a willingness to learn everything he can.
"I want to learn and grow. I haven't put a lot of expectations yet, probably more when I start getting into practice and things like that. But I'm just excited to learn and grow, and be at this level." The young big man knows he still has plenty of room to grow but believes Memphis provides the ideal environment for his development. "Obviously, I'm 19. I don't know everything, but it's going to be great to have such amazing coaches and organization. Playing with these guys here, just becoming a better player, making better reads, just playing at the highest level of basketball,” Boozer explained. "It's been a dream to get here, and it's going to be a lot of fun playing against those top guys every night."
FIBA