The Memphis Grizzlies' top draft pick, Cameron Boozer, has been ranked as the 76th-best player in the NBA by Bleacher Report ahead of his rookie season. This places him one spot behind former Grizzly Ja Morant and one ahead of Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks. The ranking arrives as the Grizzlies prepare for their final preseason game, coming off a 116-98 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on October 16.
It reflects the immediate impact analysts expect from the third overall pick. Boozer's college resume is stellar. He was the National Player of the Year at Duke, averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. He was the first underclassman since Larry Bird in 1977 to post a 20-10-4 season.
His game translated to the Summer League, where he made the First Team. Boozer put up 18.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, leading Memphis to the championship final. His preseason play has only solidified the hype. He’s shown a strong interior game and advanced passing for a 6-foot-10 forward.
The Grizzlies are building around Boozer and last season's All-Rookie selection, Coward. Boozer's versatility is his calling card. He told reporters that modern NBA teams want five players who can make plays, citing the New York Knicks' championship approach as a model. "I can screen. I can handle it. You can put me in a lot of different scenarios," Boozer said.
This flexibility is why some compare his potential impact to the Knicks' multi-skilled roster. He isn't a flashy player, but he consistently makes the right read and gets to his spots. That fundamental soundness should help him pressure NBA defenses from day one.
There are areas for growth. Boozer has connected on just 28.6% of his three-point attempts in the preseason. He'll likely have ups and downs with his outside shot as a rookie. Almost every young player has a hole to fill, though. Even with that, his all-around game suggests he'll be a productive starter immediately.
The team's preseason results-wins over Chicago and Atlanta and a close loss to Orlando-show a group finding its rhythm. The long-term view is clear. The Grizzlies are a young team focused on development, and landing more future talent is part of the plan. Boozer is the central piece of that build.
The Grizzlies wrap up their preseason schedule at home against the Utah Jazz on October 21. Then the real evaluation begins. While wins may be hard to come by initially, the focus is on how Boozer and the young core grow. His play in the preseason, including in the recent 116-98 win over Charlotte, indicates he's ready to try and meet it.
