Carlos Boozer has become a double-double machine for the Utah Jazz.
Born in Germany and raised in Alaska, Carlos Boozer’s travels have led him to Utah where his tough work ethic is paying off big.
After leading his high school team to two Alaska state championships, Coach K took notice and persuaded Boozer to make the long journey to Durham, NC. Duke proved to be the perfect place for him to develop his game and by the time he left he was named an All-American and led the Blue Devils to the 2001 national title.
“The only time I had to get on Carlos was to tell him to take more shots. He didn’t have a jealous bone in his body. He was the ultimate teammate,” said Coach K.
But scouts, fixated on the next high school sensation, didn’t see the full value of his consistent play and his impressive college numbers. He fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round of the 2002 NBA Draft. It was a complete slight to player who had proven so much at the college level.
He was determined to make teams pay.
“It was a huge disappointment, but it motivated me. It’s still something I wear on my sleeve today,” said Boozer about being drafted with the 35th pick.
Immediately, Boozer was an impact player for Cleveland. As a rookie, he averaged 10 points and over seven rebounds a game, and he did an excellent job controlling the low post on defense. During his time there he only continued to improve, and in his second season he was averaging a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds a game. And when the 2004 Olympics came around he had earned a trip to Athens. That season left many a GM questioning why they didn’t take him in the first round.
Utah, seeing just how valuable he was, outbid other teams to claim Boozer as a free agent. His offensive numbers continued to grow as he settled in, but both his first two seasons for the Jazz were cut short by hamstring injuries.
In the 2006-07 season, a healthy Boozer put together his best season and cemented his place as one of the best low post players in the league. With probably the most balanced game in the league, Boozer beat defenders on both sides of the basket to the tune of almost 22 points and 12 rebounds a game. It was only natural that he was selected to his first All-Star game.
This season has only been more of the same. In addition to winning the November Player of the Month award, Boozer is 8th in the league in points per game (23.1) and 7th in the rebounding (10.8). He is making the most of the great point guard play by Deron Williams.
“We’re executing our offense,” Boozer said. “Deron Williams is doing a great job of running the offense and getting us good shots on pick-and-rolls.”
Unfortunately for all that teams that passed on him in the 2002 Draft, Boozer has become a double-double machine and looks to be on his way to his second straight All-Star game.
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