Cameron Boozer Wins AP Player of the Year, Fifth Freshman Ever

Cameron Boozer was named AP Player of the Year, the fifth freshman ever to win the award.

“From Duke Sports Information INDIANAPOLIS-Dukemen's basketball freshmanCameron Boozerhas been named the Associated Press National Player of the Year, the organization announced on Friday, April 3”

247Sports

He led Duke to a 35-3 record and the top overall seed for March Madness.

Alaska's News Source

Boozer averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 55.6% from the field.

He recorded at least 13 points, five rebounds and two assists in every game.

Boozer is the ninth Duke player to win the AP Player of the Year, the most of any program.

His father Carlos Boozer Sr. played at Duke from 1999 to 2002.

CBS Sports

The Boozer family legacy has strong ties to both Alaska and Duke.

Duke lost in the Elite Eight to UConn.

Boozer received 59 of 61 votes from AP Top 25 voters.

“2025-26 CBS Sports college basketball individual awards: Duke's Cameron Boozer is Player, Freshman of Year Arizona's Tommy Lloyd is the Coach of the Year and Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg earned Transfer of the Year honors from CBS Sports experts Due to the unpredictable, volatile and unforgiving nature of the NCAA Tournament, college basketball's best player often doesn't make it to the sport's ultimate stage”

CBS Sports

BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa received the other two votes.

The Guardian noted Boozer's versatile scoring and passing.

Each source emphasized Boozer's historic place as a freshman winner.