In the initial round of the Chipotle Nationals held on Thursday, Cameron Boozer, a top target for Duke basketball recruiting in 2025 and a potential candidate for the 2026 No. 1 overall draft pick, showcased an impressive performance. He accumulated 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks, leading Columbus High School (Fla.), seeded fifth, to a 71-58 triumph over Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.), seeded fourth.
Later on the same court in Indiana, another coveted recruit for Duke basketball, Cooper Flagg of the 2024 class, who was ranked first among current high school seniors and had reclassified to be eligible, guided the top-seeded and unbeaten Montverde Academy (Fla.) to a 64-49 victory over Compass Prep (Ariz.), seeded eighth.
Flagg, possessing remarkable physical attributes and skills that could make him a focal point for the Blue Devils in the upcoming season, concluded the game with 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals in a 31-minute appearance on the court.
Cooper Flagg tallied 16 points and 7 rebounds during Montverde’s 64-49 win over AZ Compass at #ChipotleNationals 🤩@Cooper_Flagg | @MVABasketball pic.twitter.com/YpU8B6v9ka
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) April 5, 2024
The stage is now set for a highly anticipated semifinal clash between these two five-star forwards at 4:30 p.m. ET on Friday, which fans can watch on ESPN2. Cameron Boozer, who is the son of former Blue Devil national champion Carlos Boozer and the twin brother of fellow 2025 Duke target, five-star guard Cayden Boozer, will face off against Cooper Flagg.
The victor of this matchup might potentially confront two Duke signees in the championship showdown at noon on Saturday, also airing on ESPN2. For this scenario to materialize, Paul VI Catholic, seeded second and known as a promising pipeline school for Duke, featuring five-star center Patrick Ngongba II and four-star wing Darren Harris this year, must emerge triumphant in their semifinal encounter against defending national champion Link Academy (Mo.), seeded sixth, at 2:30 p.m. on Friday.
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