Why Cameron Boozer believes he should be No. 1 pick in 2026 NBA Draft

Editor's Note: Keep up with the 2026 NBA Draft with our live blog, here.

Duke forward Cameron Boozer is ready to prove naysayers wrong.

As the clock winds down to the start of the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday, June 23, conversations surrounding the No. 1 overall pick have mainly centered around BYU forward AJ Dybantsa and Kansas guard Darryn Peterson. Boozer, however, believes he shouldn't be omitted from the discussion.

"For me not being in that conversation, I don't really understand it," said Boozer, who is projected to be selected No. 3 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in USA TODAY Sports' latest mock draft. "I think many years down the line, people are going to look back and say that I should have been."

When asked if he should be the first player off the board, Boozer confidently said, "Of course, I feel that way."

Boozer said the order in which NBA commissioner Adam Silver calls his name on Tuesday evening won't determine how successful he is in the league. And he's aiming high his rookie season, revealing some of the goals he's set for himself: "I want to win rookie of the year, want to average 10 rebounds a game, shoot 40%."

"Where you get drafted today, it doesn't determine where you're going to be in 10 years," Boozer added during an appearance on ESPN's "NBA Draft Red Carpet" show. "For me, I just want to go to the right place for me where I can maximize that potential for me in 10 years down the line."

The 6-foot-9, 250-pound forward averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.4 steals in 38 games (all starts) at Duke this past season, while shooting 55.6% from the field. He was named The Associated Press men's national player of the year, becoming the fifth freshman to win the award, joining Cooper Flagg (2025), Zion Williamson (2019), Anthony Davis (2012) and Kevin Durant (2007).

"I think my versatility is very underrated. A lot of people will talk about me and I think they don't really understand the game, but I mean that's OK," Boozer said. "I just think there's so much to my game that people don't really see. I think I can handle the ball. I think I shoot really well. I think my processing level is elite and then that's going to really show up the next level for me."

Despite setting concrete goals for his rookie season, Boozer said he's not thinking too far ahead of Tuesday night, advice his dad, two-time NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, shared with him.

"(My dad) just wants me to enjoy it still at every moment," Cameron Boozer said. "You only get drafted one time, no matter how many other things you do. So I just really enjoyed the moment. I worked so hard to be here and they're super proud of me and it's going to be a great day."

See USA TODAY's final, two-round mock draft here

How to watch the 2026 NBA Draft

The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday, June 23 will be broadcast nationally on ABC and ESPN at 8 p.m. ET. The second round on Wednesday, June 24 will air only on ESPN.

Fans can also stream both nights of the draft on ESPN Unlimited, the ESPN app and on Fubo .

What time is the 2026 NBA Draft?

The 2026 NBA Draft takes place over two days, with the first round on Tuesday, June 23 and the second round on Wednesday, June 24. Selections will start at 8 p.m. ET on both nights.

Where is the 2026 NBA Draft?

The 2026 NBA Draft takes place at the Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets, in New York. The Barclays Center has hosted the NBA draft every year since 2013 except for 2020 when COVID moved the draft to a closed-door event at ESPN Studios in Bristol, Connecticut.

2026 NBA Draft first round order

1. Washington Wizards
2. Utah Jazz
3. Memphis Grizzlies
4. Chicago Bulls
5. Los Angeles Clippers (via IND)
6. Brooklyn Nets
7. Sacramento Kings
8. Atlanta Hawks (via NOP)
9. Dallas Mavericks
10. Milwaukee Bucks
11. Golden State Warriors
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC)
13. Milwaukee Bucks (via MIA)
14. Charlotte Hornets
15. Chicago Bulls (via POR)
16. Memphis Grizzlies (via PHX)
17. Oklahoma City Thunder (via PHI)
18. Charlotte Hornets (via ORL)
19. Toronto Raptors
20. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL)
21. Detroit Pistons (via MIN)
22. Philadelphia 76ers (via HOU)
23. Atlanta Hawks (via CLE)
24. New York Knicks
25. Los Angeles Lakers
26. Denver Nuggets
27. Boston Celtics
28. Brooklyn Nets (via DET)
29. Cleveland Cavaliers (via SAS)
30. Dallas Mavericks (via OKC)