Duke Star Cam Boozer Suffers Eye Fractures

Projected top-5 NBA draft pick says he won't need surgery despite multiple fractures around his eye sustained in Elite Eight loss.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 5:54pm

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Duke freshman star Cameron Boozer, a projected top-five pick in the 2026 NBA draft, said he suffered multiple fractures around his eye after being injured in his team's loss to UConn in the Elite Eight. Boozer did not offer specifics about the injury but said he decided against surgery only two months before the NBA draft.

Why it matters

Boozer is one of the most decorated players in college basketball history, but he's faced scrutiny about his next-level physical tools and if he has enough of them to compete against bigger, stronger and bouncier players in the NBA. The eye injury could impact his standing in the upcoming draft.

The details

During the loss to UConn in the Elite Eight, Boozer took an elbow to the face as he drove to the rim on 7-foot-1 center Eric Reibe. Soon after the play, Boozer's eye began to swell and a Duke trainer applied a cold soda can to his face while he sat on the bench.

  • On April 1, 2026, Boozer suffered the eye injury in Duke's Elite Eight loss to UConn.

The players

Cameron Boozer

A Duke freshman star and projected top-5 pick in the 2026 NBA draft who suffered multiple fractures around his eye in the Elite Eight loss to UConn.

Eric Reibe

The 7-foot-1 UConn center who was involved in the play that led to Boozer's eye injury.

Cayden Boozer

Cameron Boozer's twin brother, who faced backlash on social media following a turnover that preceded UConn's game-winning shot in the Elite Eight.

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What they’re saying

“I have a couple of fractures, but I'm all good. I'm just going through the healing process. It hurt in the game, but I wish the outcome would have been better, but that's not really what I'm here to focus on. We had a great year. Like I said, it's an individual award, but I wouldn't be here without my teammates and my coaches.”

— Cameron Boozer, Duke Freshman Star

“First of all, I'd like to say it's definitely nasty, but that's not the reason, that one play is not the reason we lost. But just being there for him, obviously it's tough. It's going to be hard for anyone to go through that. There is not really that much I can say to make him feel better. We're all hurting as a team, but we're going to get through it together. We're a super-connected group. It's definitely a hard moment, but he's a tough guy. We're all tough. It's going to make us so much better going forward. So it's something you've got to take on a chin and learn and grow from.”

— Cameron Boozer, Duke Freshman Star

What’s next

Boozer said he decided against surgery on his eye injury and is focused on the healing process ahead of the NBA draft, where he is projected to be a top-5 pick.

The takeaway

Boozer's eye injury raises questions about his physical readiness for the NBA, but the Duke star remains confident in his ability to compete at the next level and make an immediate impact on whichever team drafts him.