Anna Snyder, Fayetteville ObserverTue, November 25, 2025 at 10:06 AM UTC·3 min readCollege basketball is once again loaded with a top-tier freshman group.
Among that tier is Duke basketball's Cameron Boozer, who came to Duke as the No. 3 overall player in the 2025 class. Through the Blue Devils' first seven games, the 6-foot-9 Boozer has posted four double-doubles and leads Duke in four categories: points (21.1), assists (4.0), rebounds (9.9), steals (1.7) and blocks per game (1.3).
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSo is Boozer the best freshman in the country? Here's a look, comparing some of Boozer's numbers to other elite freshman around the NCAA:
AJ Dybantsa, F, BYU
The 6-foot-9 Dybantsa came to BYU as the top-rated prospect in the 2025 class. He posted a season-high 25 points vs. UConn and is averaging 19.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while shooting 54.8% from the field.
Cameron Boozer, F, Duke
The preseason ACC Rookie of the Year posted season-high 35 points on 13 made field goals with three blocks in the win over Indiana State. He has three games on the season with a season-high 12 rebounds (Texas, Indiana State and Howard) and is shooting 54.9% from the field.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDavid Mirkovic, F, Illinois
The 6-foot-9 Niksic, Montenegro native posted a season-high 27 points with 21 rebounds vs. Colgate, becoming the first Illinois player to post 20-plus points and 20-plus rebounds since 1972. He is averaging a double-double of 16 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, leading the Fighting Illini in rebounds.
Caleb Wilson, F, North Carolina
The 6-foot-10 Wilson has quickly become a sensation in Chapel Hill and is highly efficient for the Tar Heels, averaging a double-double of 20.6 points and 10 rebounds per game while shooting 67.3% from the field. He posted a season-high 24 points against Kansas and 14 rebounds vs. Radford. He leads UNC in points, rebounds and steals (2.0) per game.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMikel Brown Jr., G, Louisville
The 6-foot-5 Brown Jr. had a season-high game against in-state rival Kentucky, putting up 29 points while going 8-of-16 from the field. He is averaging 19.8 points per game and leads the Cardinals, averaging 6.6 assists per game.
Darryn Peterson, G, Kansas
Peterson was the No. 2 recruit coming out of the 2025 class but has only played in two games for the Jayhawks this season due to a hamstring issue. Through his two games played, the 6-foot-6 guard was averaging 21.5 points and shooting 60% from the field and 50% from deep.
Koa Peat, F, Arizona
The 6-foot-8 Pete was ranked as the No. 8 overall recruit in the 2025 cycle. He posted a season-high 30 points with five assists while going 11-of-18 from the field in the Wildcats' win over reigning national champs Florida. On the season, Pete is averaging 16.2 points and 6.6 rebounds while going 53.7% from the field.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNate Ament, F, Tennessee
The 6-foot-10 Ament leads the Vols in points (18.8), rebounds (8.4) and steals (2.2) per game. He posted a season-high 23 points against Northern Kentucky and 10 rebounds vs. Rice.
Anna Snyder covers Duke for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her @annaesnydr on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Is Duke's Cameron Boozer the top freshman in college basketball?
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