BREAKING: Cameron Boozer, Nation’s No. 1 Recruit, Stuns Basketball World, Flips Commitment from Duke to Tennessee
KNOXVILLE, TN — In a move that sends seismic shockwaves through college basketball, Cameron Boozer, the 6’9” powerhouse from Columbus High School in Miami and the undisputed No. 1 overall player in the 2025 class, announced his stunning decommitment from Duke on Wednesday, pledging instead to join Head Coach Rick Barnes and the Tennessee Volunteers.
The announcement, made during a live-streamed ceremony at his school, marks the most significant recruiting victory in the history of Tennessee basketball. Boozer, a polished and physical forward whose game draws comparisons to a young Tim Duncan, had been the crown jewel of Jon Scheyer’s recruiting class at Duke, committed to the Blue Devils since last fall. His decision to spurn the sport’s most storied blueblood for Rocky Top is a paradigm-shifting moment for the Volunteers’ program.
“This decision is about trust, development, and building something lasting,” said Boozer, putting on a Tennessee hat as the room erupted. “My connection with Coach Barnes, Coach [Justin] Gainey, and the entire staff is special. They have a proven plan for my growth on and off the court, and the culture of toughness and accountability here is what I want. I believe in what they’re building in Knoxville, and I’m ready to help take it to the top.”
For Head Coach Rick Barnes, this is a legacy-defining coup. Known for developing talent and building a culture of relentless defense, Barnes has now proven he can win the ultimate recruiting battle. Securing a player of Boozer’s caliber—a complete big man with elite footwork, a high motor, and a winning pedigree—validates Tennessee as a premier destination for the nation’s very best. It follows the program’s recent momentum, including a No. 1 ranking and an SEC title, and signals a new ceiling for Vols basketball.
The on-court implications are immediate and transformative. Boozer is a franchise player, a day-one starter who can anchor a defense, command a double-team in the post, and facilitate offense from the high post. His commitment instantly cements Tennessee’s 2025 recruiting class as a top-three group nationally and provides an gravitational pull for other elite prospects. He represents the final piece of a championship blueprint, offering the high-level, consistent interior scoring the Vols have often lacked in March.
The national ramifications are profound. For Duke, this is a staggering loss, a rare instance of a program cornerstone choosing a different path. For the SEC, it announces that Tennessee is not just a defensive powerhouse but now a juggernaut capable of landing transcendent talent, further deepening the conference’s strength. For the sport, it underscores that program culture, veteran coaching stability, and proven player development can triumph in the NIL era.
On Rocky Top, the news has ignited euphoria, signaling that men’s basketball is ready to claim the spotlight alongside a resurgent football program. Cameron Boozer is more than a recruit; he is a declaration. Tennessee Basketball, under Rick Barnes, has officially arrived as an elite recruiting power, and the pursuit of the program’s first national championship has found its most talented standard-bearer. The college basketball world has been put on notice: the path to a title now runs through Knoxville.
