Cam Boozer’s Summer League Debut Had a Teammate Questioning His Age

Memphis Grizzlies rookie Cameron Boozer is already turning heads in Summer League, and not just because of his pedigree. After dropping 23 points, six rebounds and four assists in a 97-96 win over the Chicago Bulls on Friday night, his teammate Cedric Coward crashed his postgame interview with a reaction that summed up what a lot of people are thinking.

“I can’t believe he’s 18. I’m glad he’s on my team,” Coward said, leaning into the frame as Boozer laughed it off.

Boozer, selected third overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, has looked polished beyond his years early on. Against the Bulls he shot 7-for-12 from the field and showed a smooth offensive game that didn’t look like it belonged to a kid who just wrapped up his senior prom. The Grizzlies are betting big on him being the centerpiece of their rebuild after trading Ja Morant to Portland for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.

That trade made one thing clear: Memphis is going young. Really young. And Boozer is the face of that shift.

But he’s not the only rookie making noise. Coward put up 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists on Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks, going 5-for-12 from the field. His game is more erratic than Boozer’s so far — he’s an explosive athlete who can disappear one minute and change a game the next. But the defensive potential is obvious. If he can dial in the consistency, the Grizzlies might have found a long-term running mate for Boozer.

At least on paper, the pairing makes sense. Boozer provides the steady offensive hub, the kind of guy who can run an offense and make the right read. Coward brings the chaos. High-energy, disruptive, the type of defender who gets under your skin. Two different styles that could complement each other if things break right.

Of course, Summer League is Summer League. The real tests start in October. But early returns have been encouraging for a franchise that needed something to feel good about after moving on from its biggest star. The Grizzlies have a young core now. They just have to hope it grows up fast enough to compete in a loaded Western Conference.

Memphis is back on the floor Monday night against Dallas. Boozer and Coward will both get another chance to show what they can do.