Top college basketball recruits Cooper Flagg, Cameron Boozer face off at Peach Jam
Wednesday morning’s much-anticipated matchup between two of the nation’s most sought-after recruits wiped any lingering lethargy from the July 4th holiday.
Fans, NBA scouts and even former NBA great Carmelo Anthony were on hand at Riverview Athletics Center for a 9 a.m. game pitting Cooper Flagg and Cam Boozer, two of the top prospects for the Class of 2025, against one another.
With each talented prospect producing double-doubles, Flagg’s Maine United squad topped Boozer’s Nightrydas team, 73-65.
Coming off MVP honors of the NBA Top 100 camp last week in Orlando, the 6-8 Flagg showed his versatility by scoring 21 points with 10 rebounds and seven assists. The 6-9 Boozer produced 22 points and 12 rebounds. Each player blocked two shots.
The two players have jockeyed between the top two spots in the Class of 2025 national player rankings. That’s expected to continue as long as neither reclassifies into the Class of 2024.
Duke has extended offers to both players.
While saying he enjoyed matching up against such a good player, Flagg brushed aside any rivalry between he and Boozer.
“I mean, that’s a rivalry that people just like to make,” Flagg said. “But it’s always fun just because of how good he is and how good that team is. It’s always fun to be able to battle at the highest level like that.”
College coaches aren’t allowed to attend Peach Jam games until Thursday, when the NCAA’s quiet period ends for recruiting.
But the NBA was well-represented as 20 scouts spotted at the matchup were from the Oklahoma City Thunder, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Hornets and Sacramento Kings.
Former NBA great John Lucas, previously a Rockets’ assistant who moved into their front office last summer, watched the game and was sitting next to Anthony. He also happens to be the father of Duke associate head coach Jai Lucas.
Carlos Boozer, the former Duke player and NBA All-Star, was also in attendance watching his twin sons play.
Flagg said he wanted to show the NBA scouts his shooting range. He finished 7 of 18 from the field.
Boozer was matched up guarding him for much of the game while Flagg had his moments.
Flagg displayed his versatility, by bringing the ball up the court and distributing it. He appeared comfortable coming off pick and rolls. While he didn’t have his best game from 3-point range (1-of-6), he’s shown the ability to hit from that range.
Boozer had a decent day shooting from deep, hitting a pair of 3-pointers on his seven attempts. Ace Flagg, Cooper’s twin brother who is also a college prospect, had 22 points and 11 rebounds. Similarly, Cam Boozer’s brother Cayden scored 11 points with five assists for Nightrydas.
This was the second straight year Flagg and Boozer’s AAU programs met at Peach Jam. Nightrydas won 79-36 last year.
This story was originally published July 5, 2023 at 12:01 PM with the headline "Top college basketball recruits Cooper Flagg, Cameron Boozer face off at Peach Jam."