Duke star Cam Boozer says he suffered fractures around eye - ESPN

INDIANAPOLIS — Duke star freshman Cameron Boozer, a projected top-five pick in the 2026 NBA draft, said he suffered multiple fractures around one of his eyes during his team's loss to UConn in the Elite Eight.

Boozer did not offer specifics about the injury but said he decided against surgery only two months before the NBA draft.

«I have a couple of fractures, but I'm all good,» Boozer said as he accepted The Associated Press and United States Basketball Writers Association player of the year awards. «I'm just going through the healing process. It hurt in the game, but I wish the outcome would have been better, but that's not really what I'm here to focus on. We had a great year. Like I said, it's an individual award, but I wouldn't be here without my teammates and my coaches.»

During Duke's 73-72 loss to UConn on March 29 — decided on Braylon Mullins' 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds to play — Boozer took an elbow to the face as he drove to the rim on 7-foot-1 center Eric Reibe. Soon after the play, Boozer's right eye began to swell and a Duke trainer applied a soda can to his face while he sat on the bench.

Depending on its severity, the eye injury could impact Boozer's standing in the NBA draft. He's one of the most decorated players in college basketball history, but he has faced scrutiny about his next-level physical tools and whether he has enough of them to compete against bigger, stronger and more athletic players in the NBA. The 6-foot-9, 250-pound forward, however, said he's ready to «win» in the NBA, no matter where he's picked.

«I think I'm just a winning player, all-around player. I think I impact the game in so many different ways,» Boozer said. «And I think my competitiveness translates to any level. I think any