Boozer twins make it official with Duke, primed to make national title push

MIAMI — Cayden Boozer said it was tough to pick between Duke and Miami.

Cameron Boozer said there was no wrong answer, complementing both programs.

But in the end, the talented twin sons of former NBA star Carlos Boozer, chose Duke last month over the Hurricanes.

On Thursday afternoon, they sat together at a table set up inside the Columbus High gym and made it official as they signed their letters of intent with the Blue Devils.

“There’s great tradition at both schools so there was really no wrong answer,” Cameron Boozer said. “But I think what Duke has in terms of infrastructure they’ve built over the years and the amazing coaching staff they’ve put together made the difference for us.”

Cameron, a 6-9 power forward, is ranked No. 2 in the nation among the senior class per ESPN, and Cayden, a 6-4 point guard, is No. 17 among the senior class.

The two formed one of the most dynamic tandems in South Florida basketball history and have elevated Columbus’ program to new heights, winning three consecutive state championships.

And this season, they are at the forefront of the Explorers’ best team yet as they will begin as the nation’s No. 1-ranked team per MaxPreps.

Columbus opens a daunting schedule that features several nationally-ranked opponents on Tuesday night against California powerhouse Prolific Prep at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

After months of rumors as to whether the brothers would choose to stay home, they announced on social media that they were destined for Durham.

“The opportunity to go to Duke, being an amazing school and basketball team, I thought was a great opportunity for us and our family,” Cayden Boozer said. “It was definitely hard trying to pick between one of the best schools in the country and your hometown team you’re so familiar with. At the end of the day, we just felt like Duke was the best fit for us. It’s nothing against Miami. They’re an amazing school.”

Cameron and Cayden took in the moment on Thursday and reflected on the journey they’ve taken together to reach this point and what’s to come.

“I got to see them when they were really young, 7, 8, 9 years old coming to camps. Seeing them now grow into young men has been pretty awesome,” Columbus coach Andrew Moran said. “For them to go to a great program like Duke and build on their own legacy and grow there, we’re really excited for them.

“I think they’ll do really well and they’ve always been winners so I see them winning a lot. Their maturity and approach to the game and their professionalism at such a young age is what took our program to another level. Everyone saw what they did, and took that same approach.”

In addition to their accolades earned in high school basketball, the Boozers were also part of an Explorers national championship in The Throne tournament in 2023 and part of a gold medal-winning squad on the USA Under-17 squad earlier this year.

Cameron has received numerous national Player of the Year awards and is a three-time Miami Herald Basketball Player of the Year and two-time Athlete of the Year while Cayden is a three-time All-Dade first team selection.

“You’re so comfortable with your twin, your family,” Cayden Boozer said. “We’ve won so much together, but being able to do that together in that March Madness setting, hopefully, will be an amazing feeling.”