Look: Cameron Boozer, top 2025 high school prospect, erupts for 37 points in Les Schwab Invitational debut
HILLSBORO, OREGON - A two-game losing streak, a packed crowd and Carlos Boozer seated courtside teed up the perfect storm for a Cameron Boozer masterclass.
The nation's No. 2 rated prospect in the class of 2025 poured on 37 points, 11 rebounds and a handful of vicious dunks to lead national No. 9 Columbus (Florida) past Lake Oswego (Oregon) in the first round of the Les Schwab Invitational on Wednesday night.
"It was a great atmosphere," Boozer said of the prestigious annual Pacific Northwest showcase. "It was one of the better tournaments I've been to that packs the gym. Good experience."
Boozer wasn't just dominant. He was also near-perfect.
He made 15 of his 18 shot attempts, including 3-for-4 shooting from 3-point range and 4-for-4 from the free throw line, and added three assists, three blocks and a steal.
All four Columbus (7-4) losses this season have come at the hands of teams in the top 10 of the SBLive/Sports Illustrated national rankings. It took consecutive losses last week to No. 5 Link Academy and No. 8 Don Bosco in the City of Palms Classic.
Behind his efforts, the Explorers snapped the losing streak in convincing fashion.
The Explorers shot 69.5 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point range and barely let their foot off the gas, deploying a full-court press well into the second half long after the game was out of reach.
"Big reason why we lost the last two games was we didn't play a full 32-minute game, so playing a full 32-minute game for us was a big emphasis," Cameron Boozer said.
The crowd rose, cheered, oohed and aahed as the younger Boozer made his mark on a tournament that has hosted the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler and Kevin Durant over its 27 years — players Cameron's dad Carlos Boozer played against through his long NBA career.
The elder Boozer was seated courtside Wednesday night at Liberty High School.
Columbus is through to the Les Schwab Invitational quarterfinals, where it faces Beaverton (Oregon) on Thursday at 7 p.m.
The rainy, mid-40s forecast the city of Portland has built a reputation around didn't spook the younger Boozer.
"It's not that bad — we live in Miami," he said.
-- Andy Buhler | andy@scorebooklive.com | @sblivesports
