Cameron Boozer was selected third overall by the Memphis Grizzlies at the NBA Draft in Brooklyn on Tuesday, capping a night the 18-year-old Duke forward shared with the older brother whose life he once helped save.
"Yeah, I mean, it's my moment, but it's our moment," Boozer told ESPN's Lisa Salter as he stood surrounded by his family after the pick.
The 6ft 9in Boozer is the son of former NBA star Carlos Boozer and the fraternal twin of Cayden Boozer, his teammate throughout high school and at Duke. But Salter's questions on Tuesday focused on his older brother, Carmani.
Carmani was born in 2006 and diagnosed with sickle cell anemia, an inherited blood disorder whose sufferers typically survive to adulthood but often have a lower life expectancy than their peers, as Carlos told The Associated Press in 2008 while playing for the Utah Jazz.
"Being able to see everything he does, works hard, and shows up," Carmani said of Cameron on Tuesday night. "I couldn't be more proud of someone, and to be able to call him my little brother is amazing."
How the twins' birth helped save Carmani
Carlos and his then-wife CeCe told the AP they decided to create a donor for Carmani through in-vitro fertilization. Two healthy embryos were implanted, resulting in the birth of twins Cameron and Cayden in July 2007.
Carmani underwent chemotherapy to attack the bone marrow producing his sickle cells, then was injected with stem cells from one twin's umbilical cord to stimulate the growth of new, healthy bone marrow.
"I think it's really just faith over fear," CeCe, who has since divorced Carlos, told ESPN on Tuesday. "So, you know, we battled that adversity as a family, and now we get to celebrate as a family, and be here to watch Cameron, and I just couldn't be more proud."
Carlos, 44, echoed the sentiment. "First, I'm proud of him," he said. "Like the dedication, you heard Carmani talk about it, his sacrifice. He shows up every single day. I'm just happy for him, man." He added a message for his son: "Take each moment, enjoy each moment. Obviously, be where your feet are. This is something you've been waiting for your entire life, and go enjoy it, man."
What sickle cell disease involves
Sickle cell disease deforms red blood cells so they cannot carry enough oxygen, and it is common among people with ancestors from Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and the Mediterranean. The abnormal cells, shaped like a sickle or crescent, struggle to move through the bloodstream, and complications can include intense pain, stroke, organ damage and death.
Bone-marrow transplants have been successful in curing the disease, but the procedure is risky because the chemotherapy involved wipes out the immune system, with even greater risk in infants.
Cameron's Duke season and what's next
Cameron was named college player of the year in his one season at Duke, averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Cayden is staying at Duke, where he is expected to be in the starting lineup for the 2026-27 season.
