Duke Freshman Boozer Wins Naismith Trophy

Boozer becomes 13th Blue Devil to earn National Player of the Year honors.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 7:48pm

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Duke freshman forward Cameron Boozer has been named the winner of the 2026 Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy as the most outstanding player in men's college basketball, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced. Boozer is just the fifth freshman to win the prestigious award and the third from Duke, joining Cooper Flagg (2025) and Zion Williamson (2019).

Why it matters

Boozer's Naismith Trophy caps off a historic freshman season that saw him sweep National Player of the Year honors from six different organizations, including the Associated Press, USBWA, and NABC. He is the 13th different Blue Devil to earn National Player of the Year recognition, the most of any program since the award's inception in 1969.

The details

Boozer led Duke in scoring, rebounding, and assists, averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 55.6% from the field. He recorded at least 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists in every game this season, the longest such streak by any Division I player this century.

  • Boozer was named the winner of the 2026 Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy on April 5, 2026.

The players

Cameron Boozer

A freshman forward at Duke University who won the 2026 Naismith Trophy as the most outstanding player in men's college basketball.

Cooper Flagg

A former Duke player who won the Naismith Trophy in 2025, making Boozer the third Blue Devil freshman to earn the honor.

Zion Williamson

A former Duke player who won the Naismith Trophy in 2019, making Boozer the third Blue Devil freshman to earn the honor.

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The takeaway

Boozer's Naismith Trophy win cements his status as one of the most dominant freshman players in Duke history, joining an elite group of Blue Devils to earn National Player of the Year honors.