Grizzlies Select Cameron Boozer Third Overall in 2026 NBA Draft
Memphis targets versatile scorer to anchor roster overhaul following Ja Morant trade
The Memphis Grizzlies have selected Duke forward Cameron Boozer with the third overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, a move that signals a decisive shift in the franchise’s strategic direction. Boozer, the son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, was chosen after averaging 22.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game during his freshman season at Duke. The selection follows the Washington Wizards taking AJ Dybantsa first overall and the Utah Jazz selecting Darryn Peterson second.
Boozer’s collegiate performance earned him the ACC Rookie of the Year and Naismith Player of the Year honours. He shot 55.6 per cent from the field, 39.1 per cent from three-point range, and 78.9 per cent from the free-throw line. Analysts have described the 6-foot-8 forward as a polished offensive player capable of scoring from the post, shooting high-volume threes, and functioning as a point forward.
The acquisition addresses a critical need for Memphis, which finished the previous season with a 25-57 record. The organisation is currently undergoing a significant roster overhaul following the trade of Ja Morant to the Utah Jazz and ongoing contract negotiations with Jaren Jackson Jr. Boozer is viewed as a potential keystone for a team seeking to stabilise its frontcourt and rebuild its competitive framework.
Boozer’s path to the draft was marked by sustained excellence, including winning the Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year award in both 2023 and 2025. He led his high school team to four consecutive state titles and a national championship at the 2025 Chipotle Nationals. His twin brother, Cayden Boozer, a playmaking guard, has returned to Duke for his sophomore season.
Duke was eliminated in the Elite Eight by UConn, a game in which Cayden Boozer committed a turnover in the final moments. Despite this collegiate setback, Cameron Boozer declared for the draft, widely projected to be a top-three selection due to his prolific freshman statistics and adaptability on the court. He joins a lineage of professional basketball talent, with his father averaging 16.2 points and 9.5 rebounds over a 15-season career.
