The Duke Blue Devils ended the 2025-26 campaign on a sour note, falling to UConn in the dying seconds of their Elite Eight showdown. Still, their 35-3 record and ACC Championship display more successes than defeats. Of course, a lot of Duke’s success came from the production and impact of forward Cameron Boozer. With Boozer entering the 2026 NBA Draft, Head Coach Jon Scheyer now looks to a different Cameron, Cameron Williams, to anchor the Blue Devils’ frontcourt.
Cameron Williams: Duke’s New Frontcourt Anchor
A six-foot-eleven, 200 lbs. five-star recruit from St. Mary’s High School in Arizona, Williams comes to the Blue Devils with a different build and skill set than Boozer. Ranked fourth among 2026 recruits according to 247Sports, the incoming power forward relies on mobility and length to impact the court. Compared to the bulky, overpowering frame of Boozer, Williams’s over seven-foot wingspan allows him to cover a lot of space defensively. His athleticism allows him to play on the wing, making him a threat from the perimeter and forcing the defense to space out.
The Offense
Offensively, Williams bucks the tradition of a paint-dominant big man. He is much more comfortable working from the perimeter, a tactic becoming more prevalent in today’s college hoops. For St. Mary’s, Williams averaged 18 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game during his junior season. Flexing his skills from beyond the arc, he shot 37% from three-point range on the Adidas 3SSB circuit. The compact mechanics and high release point of his shot make it challenging for the opposition to contend.
Though his spot-up shooting is a deadly asset, Williams’s ball-handling makes him a multifaceted offensive weapon. His skills in handling the basketball allow him to assume the point-forward role and create offense for others.
In terms of half-court offense, Duke’s spacing drastically improves with Williams on the court. Whoever is covering him will have to respect his outside shooting capabilities and move away from the paint and rim. Expect high usage with Williams in pick-and-pop actions. With Duke’s abundance of skilled guards in their backcourt, there should be many opportunities when the primary defender drops to contain a drive, leaving Williams open on the perimeter. Coach Scheyer will also be able to deploy many five-out rotations, opening up lanes for the team’s skilled paint drivers.
The Defense
Williams is a havoc-causing big man who switches assignments with ease. A long wingspan leads to shot-blocking success, making him a primary rim protector. Williams’s lateral foot speed also allows him to fight off screens or easily switch to covering the guard. His versatility allows him to defend any position on the floor, limiting the need for rotations and open looks.
Outlook
Replacing Boozer at Duke’s power forward position is a tall task for anyone to tackle. Attempting to replicate last season’s program blueprint would likely reduce production. However, Williams allows Scheyer to utilize the power forward slot in a completely different manner. Instead of leaning on interior dominance, the Blue Devils will transition to a more space-heavy approach, opening up driving lanes and creating quality perimeter opportunities.
The freshman big man will likely require some adjustments to the collegiate level. Still, once he acclimates himself, Williams has the talent and upside to be a core member of Duke’s roster.
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