Memphis Grizzlies rookie Cameron Boozer announced his arrival in the NBA preseason Monday night, hitting a sweet fadeaway jumper for his first career bucket. The first-year forward from Duke scored over former Blue Devil Jalen Johnson, cutting an early Atlanta Hawks lead. This moment offers a bright spot for a Grizzlies team looking to turn the page after a difficult end to the 2025-26 campaign, which concluded with a 132-101 loss to the Houston Rockets on April 13.
During Monday's preseason contest at Atlanta's State Farm Arena, Cameron Boozer got on the board. He received the ball on the left side, created space with a fadeaway move, and drained the shot over Hawks forward Jalen Johnson. The bucket helped Memphis trim Atlanta's early six-point advantage down to four. A video of the play quickly circulated on social media, showing the smooth execution of the shot. It was a textbook example of the scoring touch that made Boozer a top prospect.
Boozer's debut comes as the Grizzlies work to integrate new talent. The team's recent form has been a struggle, with four consecutive losses to end last season. Their final five results were a 132-101 defeat to Houston, a 126-142 loss to Cleveland on April 7, a 131-115 loss in Milwaukee on April 5, a 105-131 home loss to Phoenix on March 31, and a narrow 125-124 win over Chicago on March 29. So a positive moment from a key rookie is welcome.
The Grizzlies selected Cameron Boozer with the third overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft for a reason. They are counting on him to become a major piece in revitalizing the franchise after missing the playoffs last season. His one year at Duke was spectacular. Boozer averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 39.1 percent from three-point range across 38 contests.
He demonstrated an all-around game that translates well to the modern NBA. Memphis needs that kind of versatile scoring and playmaking. There will be an adjustment period, of course. The physicality and speed of the professional game is a step up from college. But his performance against Atlanta, even in a preseason setting, shows he's not afraid of the moment. Beating a defender like Johnson, who is established in the league, is a good early sign.
The preseason journey is just beginning. Memphis has three more exhibition games scheduled following the Hawks matchup. They will face the Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, and Charlotte Hornets. These games are vital for Boozer to build chemistry with his new teammates and adjust to the NBA pace. Fans can track the team's preparation on our schedule page.
All this work leads to the regular season opener on October 21. The Grizzlies will host Darryn Peterson and the Utah Jazz at FedExForum. It will be the first real test for the new-look squad. The organization hopes Boozer's development accelerates quickly. His ability to score inside and out, coupled with his rebounding, could provide immediate help. If he grows into the player they drafted him to be, the Grizzlies' future looks a lot brighter. The preseason fadeaway was just the first step on that path.
