Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Recruiting Prize Falls Short of Top Honor

The number of Duke basketball talents to receive the Naismith in high school remains at five.
Matt Giles|
Duke basketball
Duke basketball | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

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Duke Blue Devils

Early Duke basketball signee Cameron Boozer is fresh off powering the Columbus High School (Fla.) Explorers to a 27-3 overall record, capturing a fourth straight state title on Saturday afternoon.

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And the 6-foot-9, 245-pound forward headlines the top-ranked 2025 Blue Devil class, a four-deep collection of five-stars including the other twin son of 2001 Duke basketball national champion Carlos Boozer in point guard Cayden Boozer.

But Cameron Boozer, a McDonald's All American selection still checking at No. 2 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite, is not the Naismith Boys' High School Player of the Year, presented annually to the most outstanding prep in the country.

Instead, on Friday afternoon, the trophy went to another of the previously named five finalists in five-star guard Darryn Peterson, a 2025 Kansas signee boasting a No. 3 composite ranking in the cycle.

Even so, the Duke basketball program continues to lead the way with its five Naismith prep winners since the prestigious award's inception in 1987: Cooper Flagg (2024), Dariq Whitehead (2022), RJ Barrett (2018), Austin Rivers (2011), and Shane Battier (1997).

ALSO READ: Latest on Duke Reserve Maliq Brown Ahead of Battle at UNC

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball recruiting news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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