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For many high-major programs, Cayden Boozer would likely be a starter this season. However, the sophomore guard opted to stay at Duke for his second year, becoming a crucial piece of what may be the deepest and most talented backcourt in college basketball.
Boozer will team up with returning guard Caleb Foster, Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell, and five-star freshman Deron Rippey Jr. His leadership and experience—having averaged about 23 minutes per game for a team that earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament last season—will be invaluable.
Why Boozer Chose to Stay
After his rookie campaign, questions swirled about whether Boozer would return. It wasn't due to a lack of talent or a potential role, but because a starting spot wasn't guaranteed, and he likely would have been the primary ball-handler for most high-major teams.
Boozer was a significant rotation player for the Blue Devils last season, but with Foster as the lead guard, he had limited chances to run the offense. The two shared the court often, yet the freshman didn't get many opportunities to showcase his full impact.
Looking ahead to 2026-27, a similar dynamic exists in the Duke backcourt. Both Foster and Boozer are back, and while there's debate over who should start, many believe Foster should begin the year as Duke's starting point guard alongside Blackwell. That's not a slight to Boozer, who is a talented passer and impactful defender at 6'4", can get downhill, and rarely gets sped up or makes poor decisions.
Boozer finds himself in an intriguing position as a sophomore. He could become the best reserve guard in the country, but a starting spot isn't guaranteed, at least initially. Nevertheless, he chose to return to Duke and trust the vision of head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff.
In a recent interview with Crazie Cast and Basket Under Review, Boozer explained his decision. "Something that was important for me was just reflecting on, obviously the season I had, because I didn't want to make a decision that was rushed. I feel like when you do that, you're never really going to make the right decision," he said. "I knew I was going to come back. The draft was never really a conversation for me. I wasn't really worried about that, because everyone has their own timetable with that. So, figured that part out and then just, having conversations with the coaching staff here...we all had a vision for what I could do this year, and it matched."
He added, "That was a big part of it, but also, there was really no other place I would want to be. You know, when I thought about transferring, like, it just never felt right to me."
What Cayden Boozer's Role Could Look Like in 2026-27
Cayden's NBA timeline differs from that of his older brother, Cameron, who was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. Still, Cayden is poised to make a significant impact for the Blue Devils in 2026-27.
Although he didn't get much time to run the floor solo, he excelled when given the chance. In the five games Foster missed with injury during the ACC and NCAA Tournaments, Boozer averaged 13.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game while dishing out 16 assists to just nine turnovers. He also played over 35 minutes in four of those outings.
It's hard to imagine Boozer having a lead role in this backcourt if Foster remains healthy and with Rippey Jr. now in the mix. However, that doesn't mean he can't make a big impact. As a freshman, Boozer averaged 7.7 points, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 turnovers in 22.8 minutes per game. He possesses the skill set of a big-time college point guard, and if he spends his sophomore season coming off the bench again, he will be one of the best bench guards in the country.
Duke's backcourt is arguably its biggest strength heading into the year, and Boozer is trusting the coaching staff's vision for him.
Hugh Straine is an accomplished writer and proud Bucknell University alumnus, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing. He has served as editor of The Bucknellian, worked as an analyst for ESPN+ and Hulu, and currently reports on college sports as a general reporter for On SI. Follow HughStraine.