The No. 1 player in the 2025 class, Cameron Boozer, talks early offers and advice from his father
NBA Draft Analyst Krysten Peek chats with the No. 1 sophomore in the country Cameron Boozer. The 6-foot-8 forward is the son of former NBA player Carlos Boozer and broke down early offers from Duke, Florida State, Miami and Michigan.
Video Transcript
KRYSTEN PEEK: I'm Krysten Peek with rivals.com here with the number one player in the 2025 class, Cam Boozer. We're at USA basketball in Colorado Springs, the mini-camp. After one session, there's a lot of competition here. How do you think you played?
CAMERON BOOZER: I think I played good, you know, just playing my role. I'll make sure you get my touches. I play hard, rebound. Just doing things to make teams win. Because at the end of the day, they're trying to make a team to win gold medals. And if I contribute to that, then that's what I'm going to do.
KRYSTEN PEEK: A specific match-up that I was watching and also the NBA scouts was you going head-to-head with Koa Peat. I know he was on the Adidas circuit, you were on the Nike circuit. What did you see about his game, you know, when you guys were doing scrimmages?
CAMERON BOOZER: I mean, he's a great player. You know, just physically, he's incredible, super athletic. He's got good speed and just overall he can just-- he can do it all, man. So it's a good player and I just love competing against good players, so.
KRYSTEN PEEK: I mean, the 2025 class is super talented. I mean, it's got-- it's you, it's Koa Peat, you got Cooper Flag, who you went head to head with. You're, right now, the number one player. How do you deal with that pressure, you know, especially at such a young age?
CAMERON BOOZER: I mean, I think all of that's just opinion based, you know what I mean? I think that there's-- everyone has a different opinion for who's number one, you know, so I just got to keep working on myself, keep trying to get better and just keep becoming the best person I can be.
KRYSTEN PEEK: Got a handful of early offers. How's the whole recruitment process been going?
CAMERON BOOZER: I mean, it's good so far. Talked to a couple of coaches. Just taking it slow and not really trying to worry about that right now. You know, I'm still a sophomore, so. This year, I'm just going to really focus on watching a lot of college basketball, see how teams play and see just how they work and just look at looking to where I want to go.
KRYSTEN PEEK: You said that you've been on campus this past summer. Which school was it?
CAMERON BOOZER: FSU.
KRYSTEN PEEK: FSU. How was that visit?
CAMERON BOOZER: I mean, it was good. Coach Hamilton, you know, he's a great guy. I love his system. You know, so that was good visit and I enjoyed my time there.
KRYSTEN PEEK: I know Duke has offered. You got the family ties there. What do you like about that program and is there any plan to visit there at some point?
CAMERON BOOZER: I mean, you know, it's just-- it's a great school, you know? They have a lot of history of winning I believe six national championships. So I mean, it's a great school. You know, we were going to take a visit, but we couldn't because we had a conflicting schedule. But you know, it's just a great school, you know?
KRYSTEN PEEK: And some of the other schools that have offered early, Michigan I know is one, Miami. What other schools are kind of in the mix right now?
CAMERON BOOZER: Michigan, Miami, Memphis, FIU, FSU--
KRYSTEN PEEK: Yeah
CAMERON BOOZER: --Arkansas State.
KRYSTEN PEEK: Yeah.
CAMERON BOOZER: And I think that's it, yeah.
KRYSTEN PEEK: With Michigan, I mean, you've got a coach there who's been a pro, has played at the highest level that you're aspiring to be there. Is that kind of like his message to you? Have you talked to Coach Howard at all?
CAMERON BOOZER: I mean, yeah, he came down last week just to watch our practice, talking a little bit, just saying how he loves how my game's improved and everything. And it's great to have a coach like that you can get intel from, you know, talk about the game, talking about what it's like at the next level, and just learn from it.
KRYSTEN PEEK: Do you think-- I mean, I know you're just a sophomore, but have you started to decide like maybe is a pro route the option? When you look at Over Time Elite or, I guess, the G League Ignite or overseas, have you considered that at all?
CAMERON BOOZER: I mean, not really. I'm just-- I'm really focused on college. I think college is the best route. I think that's going to be the best shot for me. So that's just what I'm looking for right now.
KRYSTEN PEEK: Your twin brother, you play with in high school. Are you guys going to play together in college? Is it a package deal?
CAMERON BOOZER: I mean, it's always something to talk about. I mean, we've got to go to schools that fit for us. And if a school fits both of us and it's a great situation for both of us, then definitely, that would be an option. But it's not a guarantee or anything.
KRYSTEN PEEK: What's most important for you when you start to weigh where you want to play? Like you said, it's the right fit. Like what is-- in your mind, what is the right fit for you?
CAMERON BOOZER: I mean, a coach that's going to get on me, a coach that's going to-- you know, has a good system, has an offense that I like. You know, defending is like a staple for them, I think that's a big thing. I think defense wins championships. So just looking for good basketball. I want to play good basketball.
KRYSTEN PEEK: Your dad, Carlos Boozer, obviously, he played, had a very successful career in the NBA. What sort of advice and guidance has he given you throughout this process?
CAMERON BOOZER: I mean, just to take it slow and weigh my options. Just do what's best for me and don't let any outside, you know, forces or people with talk like get in my ear or anything.
KRYSTEN PEEK: Well, thank you so much for the update, Cam. Good luck the rest of the weekend. And for continuing coverage on Cam Boozer, keep it right here on rivals.com.