Duke basketball’s Boozer twins prepared for a final ride together in postseason
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Boozer twins hope for as many as nine games left together
- Cam expected in NBA next season; Cayden to be at Duke next season
- Duke managing Ngongba and Foster injuries while eyeing ACC and NCAA runs
He tries do not think about it, but if you’re Duke’s Cayden Boozer, how do you not? Time is running short.
The ACC’s regular season ended Saturday as the No. 1 Blue Devils cranked up the machine on both ends of the floor in the second half and smacked North Carolina, 76-61, at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
No one had a bigger game than Cameron Boozer, whose 26 points, 15 rebounds and 5 assists. Cayden’s twin brother was dominant, again in what surely will be his last appearance at Cameron.
The Devils’ sophomore center Patrick Ngongba miss the game with foot soreness, then junior guard Caleb Foster left late in the first half with a foot issue and return to the bench later with his right foot in a walking boot.
No sympathy from the No. 17 Tar Heels, who learned Friday that dynamic freshman Caleb Wilson would miss the rest of the season with a broken thumb.
Injuries open more minutes for Cayden Boozer
With Foster unable to go, Cayden Boozer played 29 minutes. He ran things smoothly enough on offense, got his defensive work in and did his part in the rivalry win.
“It was just the next play mentality,” Cayden Boozer said. “I know I had to step up and contribute as much as I can. He has been like an older brother for me and I had to step up.
“It’s easy to do that when you have the belief of everyone on the team. You have to have the next-play mentality and play even harder when you lose someone like (Foster),”
Next week and the ACC Tournament? Duke coach Jon Scheyer said he couldn’t be sure of the availability of Ngongba and Foster, adding he’s unsure if both will play by Thursday and the Devils’ first game.
How many more games together?
As for the Boozers, the sons of former Duke strong man Carlos Boozer, there could as many as nine games left together if the Blue Devils run through the ACC tournament and then take the national championship.
They hope it’s nine games, but there are no guarantees. If Duke loses in the NCAA tournament, it’s over — the Devils’ quest for a sixth NCAA title, the Boozers’ time together at Duke.
Cam Boozer, all power at 6-9 with strong moves, soft hands and shooting range, will be in the NBA this time next season, a rookie looking to make his mark. Cayden will be at Duke, in his sophomore year.
It will be, Cayden said Saturday, one of the few times they have not played on the same team, noting some miniscule junior camp. From the first time they got their hands on the ball it was always about the Boozer twins.
Beating Carolina in Cameron’s last game at Cameron was decidedly special, Cayden said. And especially after the Heels handed Duke its only ACC loss in Chapel Hill.
“It means the world to me,” Cayden said Saturday. “Obviously they beat us in a tough game over there and it was the last regular-season game I’m going to play with my brother, although you never know what will happen in the future.
“It’s going to weird for both of us. But I’m going to try and not look into the future.”
Nine more games. That’s the goal.
Added Cam Boozer:: “You have to be grateful for every game you step out there to play and not take it for granted.”
Or was it Cayden Boozer who said it? Might have been both.
This story was originally published March 8, 2026 at 6:15 AM.
