Cameron and Cayden Boozer have made Christopher Columbus High School a basketball powerhouse, guiding the Explorers to multiple state championships, including the program’s first-ever title.
Now, the twin sons of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer are chasing a historic fourth consecutive championship. But before they can take another step toward that milestone, they had to overcome a formidable challenge on Saturday: Notre Dame and the top-rated Class of 2026 recruit, Tyran Stokes, at the Hoophall Classic in Springfield.
When the dust settled, it was the Explorers who emerged triumphant, cruising to a 76-53 victory. Cameron commanded the game with a double-double, piling up 25 points, 15 rebounds and six assists. Meanwhile, Cayden played the perfect counterpart, contributing 19 points, four rebounds and one assist as they dismantled a talented Notre Dame team.
Blowout wins against elite competition are familiar territory for the Boozer brothers, who see each matchup as another step in their evolution. With Duke University awaiting them next fall, games like these serve as ideal preparation for the pressure cooker of college basketball’s most storied program.
For Cayden, the journey is more rewarding—and more manageable—because of the connection he shares with his twin.
“Just having someone you can trust at all time. I’m really lucky to have a twin that I know very well,” Cayden said. “We both know where each other wants to be on the court. It really helps me be the point guard I want to be. Having him out there, someone I can trust no matter what, it’s been a blessing.”
Though they’ve shared every step of their journey so far, both Boozers are determined to carve out their own identities at Duke.
“Anyone who knows us knows that we’re two different people,” Cameron said. “So, I think the more that people see us and get to know us, they’ll realize that.”
Cayden echoed the sentiment, emphasizing how their time playing together has prepared them for the challenges ahead at Duke.
“I feel like it’s gonna help us a lot,” Cayden said. “We’ve been in a lot of tough games, playing teams like Mount Verde and Notre Dame, just a lot of tough games. But at Duke, every game you have a target on your back. So being able to be in these types of games now is only gonna prepare me for next year.”
The weight of winning isn’t new to Cameron, who embraces the challenge of constant expectations.
“Every year we have a target on our back,” Cameron said. “Everyone’s coming for us. Each year gets harder to win, not easier. Teams get better. They Scout us better. They watch more games. … so that’s just what motivates us, the fact that people are always coming for us.”
With the influence of their father and other NBA mentores like Chris Paul and Immanuel Quickley, the Boozer twins have learned invaluable lessons about handling the ups and downs of college, which is yet to come.
“There’s a lot of things that go into it,” Cayden shared about the advice they’ve received. “You’ve just got to stay composed. There’s gonna be ups and downs in every situation that you’re in, but if you keep playing and keep loving the game, you’re gonna be fine.”
Christopher Columbus will aim to extend their reign of dominance on the final day of the Hoophall Classic as they take on Perry High School in a highly anticipated 1 p.m. showdown on Monday.
