Cameron Boozer and Sarah Strong receive Wooden Awards

Cameron Boozer Wins Prestigious Award

Cameron Boozer comes from a notable family, one with deep ties to basketball. Named after the iconic Cameron Indoor Stadium, he spent his formative years watching great Blue Devils like Zion Williamson and Jayson Tatum play. Recently, he added another feather to his cap by winning the John R. Wood Award.

This accolade makes Boozer the eighth player from Duke to receive this honor, joining the likes of legends such as JJ Redick and Elton Brand. He expressed his excitement at the prospect of winning, noting how it felt great to be in such esteemed company.

In a similar achievement, Sarah Strong from UW received the Women’s Wooden Award, becoming the fifth player from her university to do so. She joins a distinguished group that includes notable players like Maya Moore, who also won it twice.

Notably, both Boozer and Strong have swept the major Player of the Year awards, recognized by organizations like the Associated Press. Boozer stood out among his peers, defeating candidates from BYU, Michigan, Purdue, and Arkansas for the Wood Award.

“It would be really amazing if it all comes together,” Strong remarked, expressing her gratitude for the recognition as she anticipated the award announcement.

As the Wood Award celebrated its 50th anniversary, its first recipient, UCLA’s Marquis Johnson, presented Boozer with the award at the LA Athletic Club. This marks the first time Johnson has participated in the process since 2007, when he honored Kevin Durant.

Boozer, standing at 6-foot-9, is projected to be a top pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. He had an impressive season, averaging 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds despite his team’s loss to UW in the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight. His father, Carlos Boozer, won a national title with Duke in 2001, and Cameron shared some advice his father gave him. “Just be present and enjoy the moment,” he said.

Recognizing Strong’s Achievement

Strong, who played a pivotal role in helping her college clinch a national title as a freshman, continued to shine as a sophomore. She posted averages of 18.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 3.4 steals, contributing significantly to the Huskies despite their loss in the national semifinals. Looking ahead, she intends to compete for at least one more season before potentially entering the WNBA.

UCLA center Lauren Betts, one of the finalists for the award alongside other notable players, could not attend due to travel commitments for the WNBA Draft.

UCLA’s head coach, Cori Close, mentioned that all his staff plans to be involved in the upcoming draft, where Betts is anticipated to be a top selection. He expressed his appreciation for his assistant coaches and support staff, acknowledging their role in developing one of the best player development programs in the country.