CHICAGO — Cameron and Kayden Boozer spent Thanksgiving in a very familiar place, and their father Carlos enjoyed every moment.
The twin brothers played at one of their father's former homes as No. 4 Duke beat No. 22 Arkansas 80-71 at the United Center on Thursday night. Carlos Boozer spent four of his 13 NBA seasons with the Chicago Bulls.
“I have a lot of memories from being here,” Cameron Boozer said. “Being in the living room jumping on a mini hoop. You know, I had more bounces back then.
“But I mean, we went to the arena. It's huge. It's just a great atmosphere. Lots of aura.”
The Boozer brothers, who came from Florida, were part of another stellar recruiting class for Duke coach John Scheyer. While Caden is still getting used to college ball, Cameron has adjusted smoothly to life with the Blue Devils.
Cameron Boozer had 35 points and nine rebounds against the Razorbacks, and he stepped up whenever the Blue Devils needed a big play. He went 13 of 18 from the field and seven of 11 from the free throw line.
“Cameron was, you know, a beast,” Arkansas coach John Calipari said.
Boozer began to shine in the final minutes of the first half. He gave Duke a 32-22 lead when he capped a 10-0 run with a 3-pointer with 5:11 left, prompting Carlos to leave his seat to applaud and wave his right hand in celebration.
After the Razorbacks took the lead in the second half, Cameron Boozer rallied the Blue Devils. He converted the tie with a 3-pointer with 6:13 left. He made a jumper and two foul shots to make it 77-69 with 1:06 left.
“I think that was a key thing for our team, just learning how to win games like this,” Scheyer said. “And it was the first time he'd been in that situation and Cam, you know what he did, he just put us on our backs. Thirty-five and nine. You know, seven fouls called, just passing, doing everything.”
Boozer is averaging 22.9 points and 9.8 rebounds in Duke's 8-0 start. He had a team-best 31 assists and 10 turnovers.
Cayden Boozer was scoreless while playing just over eight minutes against the Razorbacks. He is second on the Blue Devils with 28 assists.
When asked about the best advice he received from his father, who also played in college at Duke, Cameron Boozer said he was focused on having a good time with the team.
“You know, this could go by quickly, and you're not here for long,” Cameron Boozer said. “So, being here with my guys, enjoying days like this, Thanksgiving, playing a big game… Just enjoying it.”
