Cameron Boozer has been named The Associated Press men’s college basketball national Player of the Year, adding another marquee honor to Duke’s growing legacy in the sport.
Boozer becomes only the fifth freshman to earn the award, a rare distinction that underscores how uncommon it is for a first-year player to be recognized as the nation’s top performer. He also makes it back-to-back freshman winners for Duke, continuing a run that further extends the Blue Devils’ position atop the country’s all-time list of AP Player of the Year recipients.
A rare freshman honor
Freshmen have historically faced a steep climb to win national player of the year recognition, typically competing against older, more experienced stars. Boozer’s selection places him in a small group of first-year players to reach the top of the AP’s annual voting.
Duke’s place in the award’s history
The honor also reinforces Duke’s long-standing prominence on the national stage. With Boozer’s selection, the program adds another winner to what remains the longest list of AP men’s national Player of the Year honorees in the country.