Duke star Cameron Boozer suffers facial fractures in UConn defeat
Duke freshman Cameron Boozer has revealed he suffered multiple facial fractures around his eye during his team’s Elite Eight defeat by UConn.
The highly rated forward sustained the injury after taking an elbow to the face from 7ft 1in centre Eric Reibe.
Despite the severity of the damage, the projected top-five NBA draft prospect has decided against undergoing surgery.
Draft stock and recovery
The 18-year-old was forced to use a cold soda can to reduce the severe swelling while sitting on the bench during the closing stages of the game.
There are concerns the facial trauma could impact his physical evaluation ahead of the NBA draft, which takes place in just two months.
However, the 6ft 9in standout insists he is solely focused on his recovery and remains confident in his ability to succeed at the professional level.
“I have a couple of fractures, but I’m all good,” Boozer said while accepting the Associated Press player of the year award.
“I’m just going through the healing process.”
Final Four heartbreak
The physical setback compounded a devastating end to the season for the Blue Devils, who were eliminated by a 0.4-second three-pointer from UConn’s Braylon Mullins.
The dramatic finish also led to intense social media criticism directed at his twin brother, Cayden Boozer, following a crucial late turnover.
The reigning United States Basketball Writers Association player of the year firmly defended his sibling amidst the online backlash.
“First of all, I’d like to say it’s definitely nasty, but that one play is not the reason we lost,” he explained.
“We’re all hurting as a team, but we’re going to get through it together.”
UConn advanced from the bruising encounter to face Michigan in Monday’s national title game in Indianapolis.