NCAA: Cayden Boozer returning to Duke for sophomore season

Cayden Boozer is set to return to Duke basketball this fall for his sophomore season, the university announced Thursday via social media.

In his debut year with the Blue Devils, the guard played in 38 games, starting 11, and averaged 7.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 22.9 minutes per game.

Boozer, alongside his twin brother Cameron, chose to attend Duke together. However, Cameron is projected to be a top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, which has drawn much of the attention towards his outstanding performance. While Cayden spent much of the season in his brother’s shadow, he proved to be an essential player for Duke, especially after Caleb Foster suffered a broken foot in the final game of the regular season against North Carolina.

In the wake of Foster’s injury, Cayden Boozer stepped up, starting three games in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) tournament and four in the NCAA Tournament. During this stretch, he averaged 13.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, showing great poise as he ran the offense for the Blue Devils.

Despite his increased role in the postseason, Boozer’s season ended on a tough note. In the Elite Eight matchup against UConn, with just seconds remaining, Boozer turned the ball over under intense pressure. This allowed UConn freshman Braylon Mullins to make a clutch 3-pointer, securing a 73-72 win and sending the Huskies to the Final Four.

There were rumors this offseason that Boozer might transfer, with Miami being considered a possible destination. However, those talks cooled after the commitment of Acaden Lewis, a guard who transferred from Villanova. This likely closed the door on a potential transfer.

Boozer, who graduated from Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, was rated as a four-star recruit, the No. 4 point guard, and No. 23 overall player in the nation according to 247Sports. His twin brother, Cameron, earned five-star status and was ranked as the No. 1 power forward and No. 3 overall player. Cameron had an impressive season, averaging 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds, and is expected to be among the top picks in the upcoming NBA Draft.

The Boozers’ decision to stick together at Duke, combined with their talent, has Blue Devils fans excited for the future as they await the next chapter in their collegiate careers.

— Field Level Media/Reuters