Why Some Scouts Rank Caleb Wilson Over Cameron Boozer on 2026 NBA Draft Big Board amid Rumors
Duke star freshman Cameron Boozer has long been considered one of the top three players in the 2026 NBA draft class, but it appears that one of his biggest rivals is challenging him for his spot.
ESPN's Jeremy Woo reported that some NBA scouts rank UNC star freshman Caleb Wilson ahead of Boozer due to his potential to be a two-way star at the next level.
"Some NBA evaluators rate Wilson ahead of Boozer based on those potential upside outcomes, valuing how his vertical explosiveness and shot blocking could translate into two-way impact," Woo reported. "Boozer is the far more polished player, but a team looking to build a more athletic, defensively versatile frontline could look at Wilson and take a chance on his development."
In his latest mock draft, B/R's Jonathan Wasserman predicted that Boozer would get selected by the Brooklyn Nets with the No. 3 overall pick, while Wilson would be taken right after him by the Washington Wizards at No. 4.
However, Woo explained that while Boozer's offensive skills haven't been questioned, there are some concerns about his ability to play defense consistently in the NBA.
"Boozer's offensive acumen is unquestionable, where he projects as a versatile, high-impact operator out of the box," Woo explained. "The holdup for NBA evaluators has been the physical component of his game, as he lacks explosiveness, doesn't protect the rim at a high level and often struggles to get out onto shooters because of his foot speed -- things that tend to get targeted in the NBA postseason. Although he has a 7-foot wingspan at 6-foot-9, he lacks a pronounced height advantage for a big man and isn't quick enough to consistently guard the wing. Boozer's excellent positioning and instincts will have to prop up his value on that side of the ball."
Both Boozer and Wilson will have the chance to assert themselves over one another when No. 1 Duke (28-2) hosts No. 17 UNC (24-6) on Saturday in the regular-season finale. They will then turn their attention to the ACC Tournament and March Madness in hopes of solidifying their standing with NBA scouts ahead of this summer's draft.
