BREAKING: Cam Boozer, Nation’s Top Recruit, Makes Stunning Flip to LSU Basketball
In a move that has instantly reshaped the college basketball landscape for the 2025-26 season, Cameron “Cam” Boozer—the consensus number-one overall recruit in the Class of 2025—announced Thursday that he has flipped his commitment and will play for the LSU Tigers. The 6-foot-9 forward from Columbus High School in Miami, a five-star talent and son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, had been publicly and steadfastly committed to the Duke Blue Devils for over a year.
The announcement, delivered via a graphic posted to his social media accounts, sent shockwaves through the sport. Boozer, a versatile and polished big man widely regarded as a generational prospect and projected top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, chose LSU over Duke and others, citing his relationship with the Tigers’ new coaching staff.
“After a lot of prayer and deep conversations with my family, I’ve decided to follow my heart to Baton Rouge,” Boozer said in a statement. “I have tremendous respect for Coach [Jon] Scheyer and the Duke program, but my connection with Coach [Matt] McMahon and the entire LSU staff is special. I believe in their vision for me and for building something truly great. I’m ready to get to work.”
This decision represents the most significant recruiting coup in recent LSU basketball history and a monumental victory for third-year head coach Matt McMahon. After rebuilding the roster following the Will Wade era, McMahon has now landed a program-defining talent capable of single-handedly elevating a team into national championship contention. Boozer, known for his advanced offensive skill set, high basketball IQ, and rebounding tenacity, is the type of prospect that perennial blue bloods typically secure.
For LSU, the implications are profound. Boozer immediately becomes the centerpiece of a 2025 recruiting class that vaults from unranked to among the nation’s best overnight. His commitment sends a powerful signal that LSU is a destination for elite talent under McMahon and will likely attract other top-tier recruits looking to play alongside a transcendent talent. It also reignites excitement around a program that has been searching for a consistent identity in the hyper-competitive SEC.
The fallout is equally dramatic for Duke and Coach Jon Scheyer. Losing a player of Boozer’s caliber, especially one so deeply linked to the program for so long, is a rare and staggering blow. It disrupts Duke’s long-term roster construction and marks a rare instance where the Blue Devils have lost a head-to-head battle for a top target they seemed to have locked up.
Boozer’s flip is also a testament to the evolving nature of recruiting in the NIL era. While specific details were not disclosed, LSU’s robust collective support is believed to have been a major factor, allowing the Tigers to present a competitive and compelling overall package alongside a clear path to stardom.
In Baton Rouge, the excitement is palpable. Cam Boozer is not just a recruit; he is a program-altering event. His commitment announces LSU’s arrival as a new force on the national recruiting trail and makes the Tigers an instant must-watch team for the coming season. The Matt McMahon era has found its signature star, and the entire college basketball world is now on notice.
