This Top Prospect Could Be Raising Duke's Cameron Boozer's Stock

The 2026 NBA Draft is just about a week away, and former Duke basketball superstar Cameron Boozer will be a top-three selection.

In all likelihood, Boozer will be selected with the No. 3 overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies. Word around the NBA is that the Grizzlies would be ecstatic to land the 2026 National Player of the Year.

The top three 2026 draft prospects have remained the same for practically the entire college basketball season: AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Boozer.

Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; UConn Huskies forward Alex Karaban (11) shoots the ball over Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Most mocks have the top four picks seeing the same outcome, with Dybantsa going first overall to the Washington Wizards, Peterson going second to the Utah Jazz, Boozer going third to Memphis, and Caleb Wilson going fourth to the Chicago Bulls. The "real" draft is set to begin at pick No. 5.

However, recent drama surrounding Peterson has caught wind around the NBA as the draft nears, and it could cause Boozer's stock to rise just ahead of the draft.

Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) controls the ball against St. John's Red Storm guard Dylan Darling (0) in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images | Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Darryn Peterson Refusing To Work Out for Utah Jazz

If Dybantsa goes No. 1 to Washington, Peterson will be the pick to Utah at No. 2 overall. However, the former Kansas Jayhawk is making it clear he does not want that result.

On Monday, it was reported that Peterson would only work out for the Wizards and refused to work out for the Jazz. Dybantsa worked out for both clubs with the top two draft choices.

This is yet another dimension of Peterson that makes college basketball and NBA fans scratch their heads. Throughout his fairly disappointing freshman season at Kansas, Peterson missed several big-time games with "injuries," and even checked himself out at times in crucial moments.

Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) shoots against St. John's Red Storm forward Dillon Mitchell (1) in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images | Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

It caused many around college hoops and the NBA to question Peterson and whether he is the kind of player a franchise would want at its forefront, understandably so.

Nonetheless, Peterson's potential is unmatched. He is one of the more fluid and smooth scoring guards college basketball has seen in quite some time, and he has the ceiling of a No. 1 scoring option on an NBA Championship-caliber team.

The Jazz, which hold the No. 2 pick, dealt with this exact same scenario last year when Rutgers wing Ace Bailey refused to work out for them. Utah still took Bailey with the fifth overall pick. However, this could potentially move Boozer up a spot.

Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer is awarded the Oscar Robertson Player of the Year Award by Barry Bedlan of the Associated Press. The award is given by the AP and the US Basketball Writers Association during the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Utah Worked Out Boozer After Peterson Refused

CBS Sports Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein reported that after Peterson declined to work out for the franchise, they got on the phone with Boozer shortly after.

"They brought in Cam Boozer shortly on the heels of finding out that they would not be working out Peterson," Finkelstein said. "So, whether or not there are some domino effects to be had there, only time will tell."

Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) rebounds against the UConn Huskies during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

With legitimate character concerns growing with Peterson, stemming back to his time with the Jayhawks, could this cause the Jazz to take Boozer instead? Boozer might have the best basketball mindset and level of maturity of any player in this draft. Given that the former Blue Devil is also by far the safest prospect, maybe the front office in Utah is persuaded to take Boozer over Peterson.

Now, with Peterson's potential as a scorer at the NBA level, his potential character issues can be quickly overlooked. Odds are, Utah will take Peterson at No. 2, but given they wasted no time bringing Boozer in after Peterson walked the other way, the Jazz might be a little more open-minded.

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