LAS VEGAS — Carlos Boozer sat a few rows behind the baseline, watching his kid play NBA basketball for the first time. Not a youth tournament. Not high school. Summer League, yes, but this was real. The two-time All-Star didn’t try to hide what he was feeling.
“Just every emotion, all over the place,” Boozer said during a mid-game interview. “Super excited, get the chills. Like he’s wanted this his entire life. He’s finally here. So just happy for him.”
His son, Memphis Grizzlies rookie Cam Boozer, made sure the moment paid off. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft put up 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting in 27 minutes, grabbed six rebounds, dished four assists, and added a steal and a block. The Grizzlies edged the Chicago Bulls 97-96 in a game that came down to the final possession.
Cam’s scoring wasn’t even the best individual line on the floor. Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson exploded for 35 points, but Memphis held on. That kind of fight matters when you’re rebuilding around a new young core after moving on from Ja Morant.
Before the game, Carlos kept his advice simple.
“My advice to him is just be where your feet are. Enjoy every moment,” he said. “It goes by so quickly. I still remember my first time in Summer League, and now I’m watching my son do it.”
Boozer now works in the Utah Jazz front office, but being a dad came first this week. He flew to Vegas to see this in person. When asked what makes his son’s game different, he didn’t hesitate.
“His skill set’s amazing. He’s so versatile. Can shoot it, can play outside, can play inside, can be a hub, like a point forward out there,” Carlos said. “He’s a terrific passer. It’s mind, he out-thinks everybody. That’s his biggest IQ.”
The performance in Vegas followed a strong official debut in Salt Lake City, where Cam posted 15 points, four rebounds, and four assists in a blowout win over Oklahoma City. So the early returns are encouraging for Memphis, which is betting big on a young core anchored by Boozer and others.
Carlos made clear he won’t be hovering over his son’s shoulder all season. Some things a rookie has to figure out by getting thrown into the fire.
“Some of it, he just got to be in the fire, going through it himself,” Boozer said. “He’s such a student of the game. He’ll study over and over and over again. He’s the kid that’s going to figure it out on his own, but he’ll be there.”
The Grizzlies have to be thrilled with what they’re seeing. And Carlos Boozer got to watch his son’s first real NBA moment from the stands. That’s the part he’ll remember most.
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