NCAA Announces Cameron Boozer News on Thursday

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

NCAA Announces Cameron Boozer News on Thursday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Will Chesanek | Last updated Mar 13, 2026 12:36 AM ET

The NCAA announced that Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer is a finalist for the Karl Malone award. Started in 2015, the Karl Malone award is given annually to the top power forward in collegiate basketball. Past winners include Duke's Zion Williamson and Dayton's Obi Toppin, with Auburn's Johni Broome winning the award last season.

Boozer is the only freshman finalist for the award this year, as the rest of the list includes senior Joshua Jefferson of the Iowa State Cyclones, senior Yaxel Lendeborg of the Michigan Wolverines , senior Trey Kaufman-Renn of the Purdue Boilermakers, and senior Alex Karaban of the Uconn Huskies.

Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Boozer, the son of former Blue Devils legend Carlos Boozer, has led Duke to a 29-2 regular season record, including 17-1 in conference play. Duke was given the No. 1 seed in the ACC tournament and won their first game 80-79 in a nailbiter against the No. 8 seed Florida State Seminoles on Thursday. Duke's star freshman forward posted a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds in the victory.

Boozer has had a sensational season for Duke, averaging a double-double with 22.7 points per game, good enough for seventh in the nation, and 10.4 rebounds per game, 14th in the nation. He even adds playmaking to his arsenal, averaging 4.1 assists per game. The Miami native has seen his draft stock rise due to his tremendous play.

Scouts are not the only ones to notice Boozer's game, as the NCAA announced on X Thursday "#MaloneAward Finalists" in a post.

#MaloneAward Finalists

Cameron Boozer
️ Joshua Jefferson
〽️ Yaxel Lendeborg
Trey Kaufman-Renn
Alex Karaban pic.twitter.com/MjWc04tsF1
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 12, 2026