Prior to the 2026-27 season, the NBA revealed the results of their annual GM surveys. This year's edition featured 48 questions, including a handful about the incoming rookies from the 2026 draft class. Most notably, Cameron Boozer (Memphis Grizzlies) was voted as the most likely player to win the NBA's Rookie of the Year Award, taking 50% of the vote.
Boozer's college rival, Caleb Wilson (Chicago Bulls), was the second-most popular answer at 20%, followed by No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa (Washington Wizards) at 17%. Darryn Peterson (Utah Jazz), the No. 2 overall selection, was the fourth-most popular response at 13%.
A season ago, Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks) dominated this category, earning a whopping 97% of the vote.
In addition to the Rookie
of the Year prediction, Boozer featured as an answer to two more questions. When considering the best rookie in the next five years, Boozer finished third in votes behind the aforementioned Wilson and Dybantsa. In regards to the biggest draft-day steal, Boozer was tied for fifth with Cameron Carr (Los Angeles Lakers).
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This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Duke's Cameron Boozer voted as NBA's early Rookie of the Year favorite
