The weight of a basketball franchise shifted onto the shoulders of an 18-year-old power forward when NBA Commissioner Adam Silver uttered one name on June 23.
“With the third pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies select …”
Cameron Boozer from Duke University.
Inside FedExForum, where the Grizzlies held a draft party, an ovation erupted when Boozer’s name was called. He was the player many fans and the organization had hoped to land throughout the pre-draft process.
Boozer, who turned 19 in July, became the Grizzlies’ highest draft selection since Ja Morant went No. 2 overall in 2019. Morant was still on the roster when Boozer was drafted, but that changed just six days later when Memphis traded its former franchise cornerstone.
The Grizzlies have a young core featuring Boozer, Cedric Coward, Zach Edey, GG Jackson and Jaylen Wells. But much of the attention surrounding the franchise’s next chapter has centered on the Duke product.
He'll get his first official taste of NBA action on Oct. 21 against the Utah Jazz (7 p.m. CT, DAZN-MEM).
“I’m just taking in the whole experience,” Boozer said. “Obviously, it’s my first time being in the NBA. It’s been a lot of fun. Whereas before, you had school and things like that, here you just really focus on basketball. It’s exciting.”
The weight of a NBA franchise
The significance of a franchise player in the NBA cannot be understated. Of the four major professional sports leagues in the United States, the NBA has the smallest roster sizes. More often than not, that magnifies the importance of having a player capable of elevating an entire team.
Morant filled that role in Memphis for years. He won NBA Rookie of the Year and galvanized the fan base with his electrifying play and memorable soundbites during his breakout 2021-22 season.
Before Morant, the franchise’s identity was built around a group of players. Some might point to Mike Conley Jr., Tony Allen, Zach Randolph or Marc Gasol individually, but many would identify the Core Four as the foundation of the Grizzlies’ most successful era. That group helped Memphis reach the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons.
The two eras were drastically different, but they shared a common thread: a fan base that rallied behind its team and believed in what it could accomplish.
Now, Boozer enters the picture as a 19-year-old preparing to play for a team many observers do not expect to reach the playoffs. That is a considerable burden to place on a rookie, but those around the Grizzlies believe he has the tools to handle the pressure.
“He’s got everything in him to be that (franchise player),” Grizzlies forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper said. “There’s a lot of things to learn and grow, especially as a rookie. There’s going to be ups and tougher moments, but I think he got the mindset, the attitude and all the aptitudes to be able to do that for sure.”
Boozer will make his NBA debut Oct. 21 against the Utah Jazz. He will face the team that acquired Jaren Jackson Jr., the former Grizzlies forward whose departure helped usher in Memphis’ new era. He will also face Darryn Peterson, the player selected one spot ahead of him in the draft.
Both storylines could provide additional motivation, but Boozer has shown little interest in getting caught up in the outside narratives. His approach is straightforward.
“The biggest thing is impacting winning,” Boozer said. “You got to do whatever you got to do to win.”
Cam Boozer's dependency
Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo knew early on that Memphis had landed a significant piece when the team drafted Boozer. His usage since then has reflected that belief.
Many rookies are brought along gradually as they adjust to the mental demands and increased speed of the NBA game. Memphis, however, has shown little hesitation in giving Boozer substantial responsibility.
Since summer league, the Grizzlies have played him at small forward, power forward and center. Rather than limit his role while he adjusts to the professional game, Memphis has challenged him to contribute in different situations.
Boozer has frequently been praised for playing beyond his years, and the Grizzlies are treating him accordingly.
“He’s a really high-level player,” Iisalo said. “It’s easy to forget that the kid is 19. He does not play like a 19-year-old. … There’s just so many positive roles for him on the court. That really is like a dream for a coach; to have that type of guy, and he’s only getting better. He’s 19 years old, which is a huge luxury for us.”
A great deal will be asked of Boozer. He entered the season as a favorite for NBA Rookie of the Year, has already been active in the Memphis community and has made clear that winning is his priority. Each of those factors adds to the expectations surrounding his arrival.
Some might argue that the pressure is premature for a player who has yet to prove himself at the NBA level. But for Boozer, this is nothing new.
“No, (expectations) doesn’t weigh on me,” Boozer said. “For me, I’ve been someone who has been a top player in the country for the last I don’t even know how many years. So having a target on my back or having expectations or whatever it is, it’s just normal at this point.”
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How Cam Boozer is embracing the weight of Memphis Grizzlies' future