Every year, the McDonald’s All-American Game brings together the nation’s top high school talent for a showcase of future college stars. This year, four Duke commits took the court in Brooklyn Tuesday evening. Here’s how they performed on the big stage:
This year’s men's game featured three incoming Blue Devils — Cameron and Cayden Boozer on the East team, and Nikolas Khamenia on the West team. Khamenia’s squad took down the Boozers’ crew in a riveting battle, ending in a 105-92 victory. Khamenia also won the Knockout Challenge Monday evening.
In the women's game, guard Emilee Skinner was the lone representative of Duke women’s basketball. As part of the West team, she left Barclays Center with a statement 104-82 win over the East team.
Cameron Boozer, East
The Gatorade National Player of the Year and No. 3 recruit in the class of 2025 once again proved why he’s one of the most dominant players in high school basketball. From the opening tip, he controlled the game on both ends of the floor using his size and skill, adding 16 points and 12 rebounds. He consistently shut down the paint and snatched loose balls to limit second-chance opportunities for No. 1 recruit AJ Dybantsa.
The 6-foot-9 power forward stepped up when his team needed him most, delivering impressive finishes and passionate drives to the rim. Although Boozer had a few turnovers, he set the tone with his well-rounded tactical skills and composure, earning co-MVP honors for the game. See one of his drives here:
Cayden Boozer, East
The second half of the Boozer duo also made his presence felt on the East team. While he didn’t put up as many points as Cameron, Cayden’s impact excelled in other areas. He dished out key assists, enabling his team to secure clutch 3-pointers to rally from a halftime deficit.
Boozer’s selflessness on the court was evident through his sharp vision and precise passing, racking up six assists to keep his team in the game. Whether setting up teammates for open shots beyond the arc or holding the ball for an extra second to control the tempo, he left it all on the court. Look at a couple of examples here:
Nikolas Khamenia, West
Khamenia showcased his efficient and well-rounded game on both ends of the court. Shooting 60% from the field, he put up seven points and three assists, proving to be a powerful figure on the West’s offense. The North Hollywood, Calif., native may not have racked up as many points as he normally does at Harvard-Westlake, but he scored when it mattered. Khamenia aided in his team’s comeback in the third quarter, sinking a crucial basket to spark a 9-0 run shortly after.
The 6-foot-8 power forward tied his team’s high for rebounding with seven, including four offensive and three defensive boards. Crashing the glass with his skilled strength and keen awareness, Khamenia created valuable fast-break opportunities to keep his team in control.
Emilee Skinner, West
As the only Duke commit in her class so far, Skinner single-handedly exemplified the essence of her future Blue Devil squad on her own at the McDonald’s All-American Game. The Millville, Utah, native’s shifty movements initiated several give-and-go connections, fueling her team’s victory.
Skinner can expect to play a major role on the already young Duke team. With the departure of star Reigan Richardson, head coach Kara Lawson will be looking to bring in a new high-end guard. Skinner’s calm yet bold style of play, as demonstrated by her nice behind-the-back pass during this game, makes her a prime candidate for that role. Check out the move here:
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Looking ahead
Keep an eye on the Boozers and Khamenia in the next couple of weeks, as well as fellow Duke commit Shelton Henderson. Just as their future college team is striving for a championship in San Antonio this upcoming weekend, the Boozer twins are also chasing a national title at the high school level this week.
Beyond the current Blue Devil commits, watch for the commitment announcement of No. 4-ranked recruit Nate Ament, who included Duke in his top five schools. He originally planned to report his big decision at the game but postponed it for the foreseeable future. In the game, he put up an astonishing 12 points and went 2-for-2 from beyond the arc.
Ariella Maroni is a Trinity first-year and a staff reporter for the news department.