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From Columbus to Duke: Cameron Boozer’s HS coach reminisces on five defining moments

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From Columbus to Duke: Cameron Boozer’s HS coach reminisces on five defining moments


Headed into its season opener against Texas on Tuesday night (8:45 ET, ESPN), No. 6 Duke boasts a 2-0 exhibition record, with its last win coming against No. 18 Tennessee.

That’s due in large part to freshman star forward Cameron Boozer‘s video game-like numbers in those wins: The former five star prospect averaged 28.5 points, 17.5 rebounds and five assists in Duke’s wins over the Vols and Central Florida.

Still, as mind-boggling as that production is, Andrew Moran — Boozer’s former coach at Columbus High School in Miami — said he expects Boozer to produce at that level consistently all season. Boozer was picked by three ESPN experts as a preseason first-team All-American.

“He’s that good,” said Moran, now an assistant coach at the University of Miami. “He just understands the game at a high level, he’s a machine on the glass and he scores so easy. That’s not to say he won’t have adjustments and times when he’ll have to regroup and figure it out, but he’ll always respond. He’s just a winner, bottom line.”

We had Moran dish on his top five Boozer moments during his reign at Columbus.

First state title (2022)

Boozer anchored a talented but young roster against an experienced Dr. Phillips squad. Against all odds, Boozer showed the full array of his skill set, pumping in 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists in a 45-44 championship game win.

In Moran’s words: “We were not supposed to win that game. They had three Power 4 kids and one All-American, but we found a way to get it done. He was killing in that game, and it was just a big moment because we’d never won a title before.”


The Georgia takeover (2023)

Boozer led his team into a hostile environment at national hoops powerhouse Wheeler High School (Marietta, Georgia) against its duo of top-ranked point guard Isaiah Collier and four-star big man Arrinten Page. After falling behind in the first half, Boozer shot 100 percent from the field in the second to lead his team to the win.

In Moran’s words: “That was one of those games where I was really like, ‘Wow, this is really impressive.’ He was just so skilled and strong and always made the right plays. He just had it.”


Winning a second Gatorade National Player of the Year award (2025)

Boozer is on a short list of players to win the prestigious award twice, first taking home the hardware as a sophomore, when he averaged 21.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2 blocks and won a state title. He was even more impressive as a senior, when he averaged 22.6 points, 12 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2 steals to win his fourth state title and first Chipotle Nationals title.

In Moran’s words: “It’s a big deal to win that award once, but to win it twice was just surreal. It just speaks to how dominant a player that he is.”


Triple-OT win over Gonzaga College High School (2024)

Boozer pulled out his clutch gene for a big win in a top-five matchup vs. Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) in his senior year. He drained a 3-pointer at the end of regulation to force overtime and then another one at the end of the second overtime. Boozer finished with 31 points in an 85-79 win.

In Moran’s words: “He just wasn’t going to lose that game; he just wasn’t. He’s got that gene that kicks him into another gear. He steps up to the challenge every time.”


Bringing home the Chipotle Nationals title (2025)

After getting rolled by Montverde Academy (Florida) in the Chipotle semifinals the previous year, Boozer came into the 2025 Chipotle Nationals on a mission, leading Columbus to the title after posting 11 points and eight rebounds in a 67-49 romp over Dynamic Prep (Irving, Texas).

In Moran’s words: “It wasn’t one of his big-time statistical games, but once again, he was never going to let us lose. He was just focused on winning; didn’t care about the stats. It was a surreal moment that we’ll never forget. He’s just one of those special players that are rare.”





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WNBA mock draft 2026: UConn’s Azzi Fudd is projected No. 1

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WNBA mock draft 2026: UConn’s Azzi Fudd is projected No. 1


In an ordinary year, most of the major moves in WNBA free agency likely would be made by now, and there would be more certainty around team needs. But things have been far from ordinary this entire offseason as the WNBA and the players’ association continue negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement.

Because of that, most players not under rookie contracts are free agents, plus there are two expansion teams that don’t have any players yet. So, much like our last mock draft in November, we are projecting draft selections without important context about the players they will be joining.

What we do have now that we didn’t then, though, is much of the season’s data on which to judge the current college seniors who are eligible for the draft. (We are not including any potential draft-eligible juniors in this mock).

The No. 1 pick in ESPN’s WNBA mock draft remains the same: UConn guard Azzi Fudd, who could be on her way to joining former Huskies teammate Paige Bueckers, the 2025 Rookie of the Year, with the Dallas Wings.

Champ Week and the NCAA tournament can have an impact on draft position, as we have seen players help their stock with March Madness success. So that’s something to watch between now and our next mock draft.

UConn | shooting guard | 5-foot-11 | senior

UConn is seeking the seventh perfect season in program history, and Fudd has much to do with why the 26-0 Huskies have been unbeatable so far. She is averaging 17.5 PPG and shooting 45.5% (76-of-167) from behind the arc. Fudd’s ability to stretch defenses will be of great value in the WNBA, and she is also a reliable defensive player. Plus, the UConn pedigree goes a long way in a league that has seen so many outstanding former Huskies.


Spain | center | 6-foot-4

Fam, who is averaging 9.5 points and 4.7 rebounds for Valencia in Spain, is just 19 with a ton of potential. And what better coach to work with than the most experienced one in the WNBA: Cheryl Reeve. Despite playing professionally overseas, Fam will have a learning curve in the WNBA. It’s uncertain when Lynx star forward Napheesa Collier, who had ankle surgery in January, will be back at full strength. Perhaps a young post player such as Fam might get more time right away for Minnesota.


TCU | point guard | 5-foot-10 | senior

Miles, the former Notre Dame standout playing at TCU for her senior season, leads the Horned Frogs in points (20.5), assists (6.6) and steals (1.9). She is also averaging 6.8 rebounds. She had one of her most impressive games Thursday, scoring a career-high 40 points and making 10 3-pointers as the Frogs beat Baylor. She could have gone to the WNBA in the 2025 draft but thought one more year of college would help her game and her confidence.


UCLA | center | 6-foot-7 | senior

Betts had some ups and downs in the early part of the season, but she has been consistent since then. She is averaging 16.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks for the Bruins, who are 24-1 and lead the Big Ten at 14-0. There will be a lot of discussion about how well true centers still fit in the WNBA, but there seem to be enough positives about Betts to make her one of the lottery picks.


LSU | shooting guard | 5-foot-10 | senior

Johnson’s scoring average is down from last season (13.8 PPG compared with 18.6), but a lot of that has to do with LSU having so much strong guard play and spreading around the offense. One key stat is up this season for Johnson: She is shooting a career-best 43.9% from behind the arc. Her energy and effectiveness on defense are big positives as well.

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Flau’jae Johnson discusses leadership style ahead of crunch matchup vs. South Carolina

Flau’jae Johnson discusses leadership style ahead of crunch matchup vs. LSU Flau’jae Johnson discusses her leadership and playing alongside MiLaysia Fulwiley before LSU’s showdown vs. South Carolina.


Ole Miss | small forward | 6-foot | senior

McMahon knows she will need to play more on the perimeter in the WNBA at her size and improve her 3-point shooting. That’s part of why she thought Ole Miss would be a good place to finish her college career after three seasons at Ohio State. McMahon spoke with Andscape’s Ari Chambers in January about better understanding her diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome and how it has affected her. She said that has helped her this season: She is averaging a career-high 19.9 PPG.

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Cotie McMahon drops in the smooth basket

Cotie McMahon drops in the smooth basket


France | small forward | 5-foot-11

Angloma, who plays for Basket Lattes Montpellier Agglomeration (BMLA) in France, currently is having a very good season, averaging 16.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists. She doesn’t turn 20 until June and likely can play at the small forward or shooting guard spots in the WNBA.


Spain | point guard | 5-foot-8

Martin, who just turned 20 last month, was part of the Spanish team that advanced to the EuroBasket championship game last summer. She is currently averaging 14.8 PPG and 4.6 APG for Perfumerias Avenida in Spain. In 2023, she was MVP of the FIBA Under-19 World Cup.


UCLA | shooting guard | 5-foot-11 | senior

Kneepkens is part of the UCLA guard attack that has kept the Bruins unbeatable in the Big Ten. She’s well-known for her long-range shooting, which she brought to UCLA this season from Utah. For her college career, Kneepkens has shot 43.7% from behind the arc. This season, she’s at 45.9%. Her scoring average of 13.1 PPG is down from a career-best of 19.3 last season, but she’s surrounded by a lot more talent now with the Big Ten-leading Bruins.


South Carolina | center | 6-foot-6 | senior

Okot didn’t start playing basketball until her midteens but has been a quick learner. After competing collegiately in her native Kenya, she was with Mississippi State last season, then transferred to South Carolina this season. There is a possibility the Gamecocks could petition to get her another season of college eligibility. But if she enters the draft this year, she has big potential, averaging 13.2 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1.5 SPG and 1.5 BPG.

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Madina Okot goes coast to coast with a steal and layup

Madina Okot gets in the passing lane and scores a fast-break basket for the Gamecocks.


Duke | shooting guard | 6-foot | senior

Jackson has been a stalwart for Duke’s strong defense her entire career. And she is also a good 3-point shooter; she has made 212 treys for the Blue Devils, 50 this season. She also is averaging a career-best 4.6 assists as a senior.

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Ashlon Jackson sinks clutch triple for Duke

Ashlon Jackson is left wide open and drains a 3-pointer, extending Duke’s late lead over Louisville.


UCLA | point guard | 5-foot-11 | senior

Rice has saved her best for her final season with the Bruins. She is averaging 15.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals while shooting 50.8% from the field overall and 42.1% from 3-point range. All of those are career highs. She also is averaging 4.6 assists and knows how to make the big play when needed.


South Carolina | shooting guard | 5-foot-8 | senior

Latson wanted to play for a higher-profile program, so she left Florida State after averaging a Division I-leading 25.2 PPG last season. Her draft stock might have dropped a bit as her numbers have, plus she also has been dealing with a leg injury. Still, she is averaging 15.5 PPG and is one of those prospects who might go back up the draft board during the postseason.


TCU | small forward | 6-foot-3 | senior

A native of Oviedo, Spain, Suarez is at her third college program after playing two seasons at Tennessee and two at Cal. But the move to TCU for her last season might be what helps her draft stock the most, as she has become a better 3-point shooter (52-of-144, 36.1%) and more versatile scorer at her size. She turns 24 in May, so she is a little older than most draftees, but her college experience seems to have paid off.

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Marta Suarez sinks a 3 for TCU

Olivia Miles finds Marta Suarez, who sinks a 3-pointer for TCU.


UCLA | shooting guard | 6-foot-0 | senior

Jaquez is the fourth Bruin we have going in the first round. Plus, guard Charlisse Leger-Walker and forward Angela Dugali also are almost sure to be drafted from UCLA. Jaquez is averaging 14.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG and 2.0 APG. Like teammates Kneepkens and Rice, she is shooting better than 40% from 3-point range (43.4).



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With a broken body, Federica Brignone’s Olympic message: Just show up.

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After a gruesome crash in April, just competing in the Games was a miracle for the 35-year-old Italian skier. Then she won two gold medals.



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T20 World Cup: Pakistan lose Usman Khan, India remain in control – SUCH TV

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T20 World Cup: Pakistan lose Usman Khan, India remain in control – SUCH TV



Early wickets put Pakistan on the back foot as they begin their 176-run chase in the high-stakes ICC Men’s T20 World Cup encounter at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Sunday.

Hardik Pandya provided India an early breakthrough by dismissing Sahibzada Farhan and bowled a tight maiden over to put Pakistan under immediate pressure.

Jasprit Bumrah followed up with a double strike, removing Saim Ayub and Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha in quick succession.

Pakistan’s top-order struggles continued as Axar Patel accounted for Babar Azam, who was dismissed for just five runs.

Earlier, Pakistan spinners held India in check, limiting them to 175/7.

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to field first did not prove beneficial for the Green Shirts as the Men in Blue accumulated 175/7 in their 20 overs.

India got off to a dismal start to their innings as Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s decision to open the attack gave them a massive breakthrough in the form of top-ranked T20I batter Abhishek Sharma, who fell for a four-ball duck.

Following the early stutter, opener Kishan forced an astounding recovery by putting together a one-sided second-wicket partnership with Tilak Varma.

The partnership frustrated Pakistan’s bowling unit and yielded 87 runs off 45 deliveries before Saim Ayub gave the Green Shirts a much-needed breakthrough by getting rid of set batter Kishan, who remained the top-scorer with a 40-ball 77, comprising 10 fours and three sixes.

Kishan’s dismissal forced the new pair of Varma and Suryakumar Yadav to rework the innings as they batted cautiously to add 38 runs for the third-wicket stand before Saim pulled things back by dismissing the left-handed batter and Hardik Pandya (zero) in successive deliveries.

Varma made a cautious 25 off 24 deliveries with the help of two fours and a six.

With the scoreboard reading 126/4 in 14.3 overs, Shivam Dube joined skipper Yadav in the middle, and the duo retained India’s momentum by knitting a 33-run stand, which culminated with the latter’s dismissal in the penultimate over off Usman Tariq.

The Indian captain remained a notable run-getter with a 29-ball 32, laced with three boundaries.

Dube followed suit and perished on the penultimate delivery of the innings after scoring 27 off 17 deliveries, hitting three fours and a six.

Saim Ayub was the standout bowler for Pakistan, taking three wickets for 25 runs in his four overs, while Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Tariq made one scalp apiece.



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