Cameron Boozer named 2024-25 MaxPreps National Player of the Year

After guiding Columbus (Miami, Fla.) to the top spot in the MaxPreps Top 25 high school basketball rankings, Cameron Boozer has been named the 2024-25 MaxPreps National Player of the Year.

Boozer has accomplished everything imaginable at the sub-collegiate level. He won four state championships in Florida's highest classification, three consecutive Nike EYBL Peach Jam titles, two gold medals with USA Basketball and a Chipotle Nationals title.

Individually, Boozer has compiled an unprecedented resume in the MaxPreps era. He is the only sophomore to be named MaxPreps National Player of the Year, the first to win National Freshman, Sophomore and Junior of the Year honors and now the first to earn MaxPreps National Player of the year honors twice. The 6-foot-9 forward has truly made his case as the most accomplished high school basketball player of all-time.

"I feel as though a lot of my success has been from focusing on my team's success," Boozer said. "Something that I’ve learned over the years is that when you put the success of your team first, you will also succeed."

Although the level of competition will rise when he heads to Duke next season, Boozer's mindset remains the same. 

"My goals are to keep winning at every level I play at," Boozer said. "Whether it's college next year or any level after that. And I hope that people remember for more than just what I do on the court."

For the season, the 17-year old senior led Columbus to a 30-3 record and the top spot in the final MaxPreps Top 25. He averaged 22.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.9 steals per contest. He shot 61.3 percent from the field, 46.8 percent from 3-point range and 81.0 percent from the free throw line.

Although he went up against the most difficult schedule in high school basketball this season, Boozer led the Explorers to a 16-3 record against nationally-ranked opponents.

He also recently earned co-MVP at the McDonald's All-American Game after producing 16 points and 12 rebounds in a 105-92 loss for the East.

Despite all he has accomplished on the court during the past four seasons, Boozer reflected on his relationships over accolades when looking back on his high school career. 

"The memories that will stick with me the most are the bonds I have created with my teammates," Boozer said. "Nothing can replace the friendships I have built and the camaraderie shared with all of my teammates."

In the biggest moments of the season for Columbus, Cameron's twin brother Cayden Boozer was always prepared to take control of the game when needed. Cayden scored a game-high 27 points to lead Columbus to a 67-49 victory over National Top 10 No. 1 Dynamic Prep in the Chipotle Nationals title game and hit a game-winning buzzer-beater less than 24 hours earlier to lift the Explorers over National Top 10 No. 2 Brewster Academy in the semifinals.

Cayden, also headed to Duke, piled up 1,743 points and 729 assists over his four years playing alongside Cameron.

"My brother is someone who I still believe is underrated," Cameron said of his brother. "He’s a competitor and a winner, and what he does is overlooked at times. He has made a ton of big-time plays over the years and come up huge in big moments for us. He’s obviously been a huge part of my success and our team’s success over the years and he’s going to continue to do great things at the next level."

Boozer is regarded as the No. 3 prospect in the Class of 2025 according to 247Sports and ESPN and he ranks as the No. 2 prospect in the senior class according to On3 and Rivals.

Columbus has a 114-14 record with three national top 10 finishes across four seasons with Boozer on the roster. He averaged 21.1 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest for his career while piling up 102 double-doubles in 123 career games.

Boozer finished his career with 2,593 points, 1,395 rebounds and 429 assists while shooting 935 of 1,503 (62.2 percent) from the field, 162 of 378 (42.9 percent) from 3-point range and 559-676 (82.6 percent) from the free throw line.

So what's next?

"My biggest ambitions in basketball are to become a superstar and win at the highest level," Boozer said. "My biggest ambition in life is to keep God first and the rest will figure itself out."

2006 — Greg Oden, Lawrence North (Indianapolis)
2007 — Kevin Love, Lake Oswego (Lake Oswego, Ore.)
2008 — Brandon Jennings, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
2009 — Derrick Favors, South Atlanta (Atlanta)
2010 — Harrison Barnes, Ames (Iowa)
2011 — Austin Rivers, Winter Park (Fla.)
2012 — Kyle Anderson, St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.)
2013 — Jabari Parker, Simeon (Chicago)
2014 — Stanley Johnson, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2015 — Ben Simmons, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
2016 — Lonzo Ball, Chino Hills (Calif.)
2017 — Michael Porter Jr., Nathan Hale (Seattle)
2018 — R.J. Barrett, Montverde Academy
2019 — Sharife Cooper, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.)
2020 — Cade Cunningham, Montverde Academy
2021 — Chet Holmgren, Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis)2024 — Dylan Harper, Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)