Charlotte, NC — Guard Cayden Boozer played a pivotal role as the Duke Blue Devils clinched the 2026 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament Championship, defeating the Virginia Cavaliers in a hard-fought final on March 14, 2026, at Spectrum Center.
A Dominant Run to the Championship Game
Duke's path to the title game saw them overcome the Clemson Tigers in a 73-61 semi-final victory. Cayden Boozer made his presence felt early in that contest, getting the Blue Devils on the scoreboard with a floater in the lane after Clemson had opened the scoring. The early minutes saw both defenses asserting control, with Duke holding a slim 3-2 lead.
As the first half progressed, Boozer continued to contribute offensively. A key layup from him, followed by a three-pointer from teammate Darren Harris, pushed Duke's advantage to 24-18 midway through the half. The Blue Devils' defense tightened, holding Clemson without a field goal for over five minutes. This defensive stand allowed Duke's offense to go on a hot streak, shooting 5-of-6 to build a double-digit lead, 33-21.
The Blue Devils carried a commanding 41-22 lead into halftime, fueled by strong performances across the board. In the second half, after Clemson mounted a 7-2 run to start, Boozer once again stepped up. He sank a three-pointer from the corner, stifling the Tigers' momentum after they had narrowed Duke's lead to 52-39. This shot helped Duke maintain a comfortable 62-46 advantage as the game wound down.
Boozer capped off a stellar semi-final performance by setting a new career high. He scored 16 points, hitting the mark with a driving layup at the four-minute mark. His brother, Cameron Boozer, also had a strong outing, scoring 13 points in the first half and surpassing the 20-point threshold for the third consecutive game. Other key contributors included Nikolas Khamenia, who hit consecutive three-pointers early and added a crucial three-point play in the second half, and Dame Sarr, who connected on a corner triple.
Clinching the ACC Title
Duke faced Virginia in the championship game at Spectrum Center on March 14. Boozer played a key role in the title game. Game photos showed Boozer making plays on offense and defense.
He drove to the basket and threw down a dunk. He fought Boozer for a rebound against Virginia's Sam Lewis. He also shot the ball multiple times during the game.
Duke won the 2026 ACC Tournament Championship in Charlotte. The win marked a significant achievement for the Blue Devils program and for the players who contributed throughout the tournament.
A Legacy Continues at Duke
The Boozer family has deep roots in Duke basketball. Cayden Boozer and his brother, Cameron, are following in the footsteps of their father, former Duke Blue Devils player Carlos Boozer.
Carlos Boozer was present at Spectrum Center for the championship game, reacting intently to the plays unfolding on the court. Carlos Boozer watched his two sons win a major championship together at Duke. Having two Boozer brothers on the court winning a title is rare in college basketball.
The championship win showed Cayden Boozer was crucial to Duke's 2025-2026 season.
