Cameron Boozer was perplexed why the number one pick conversation did not involve him

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As the third overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft, Cameron Boozer is glad to be with the Memphis Grizzlies. While he is happy where he landed, he was confused about why he was not part of the conversation around the first overall pick.

Throughout the whole draft process, the discussion was only about AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson. They were the top two picks as expected, but Boozer was confused that he was not part of the discussion because he believes he's as good as his peers.

Cameron Boozer admits he was confused about the number one pick discourse

The Washington Wizards eventually selected Dybantsa with the first overall pick. He is a good fit with them, but the same could be said about both Peterson and Boozer. However, it was only Peterson who was discussed as a realistic option.

This was confusing for a lot of people because there are some connotations with Boozer across the NBA world. Some people think he is a slower player, when in fact his physical measurements and athletic ability were elite based on the NBA Draft Combine.

MORE: What the Cameron Boozer pick means for Ja Morant and the Grizzlies

Moving forward, it seems Boozer is pleased to be with the Grizzlies as their new star player. However, he will be motivated by how he was mostly ignored when it came to being a potential first overall pick in 2026.

"For me, not being in that conversation, I don’t really understand it. And I think many years down the line, people are going to look back and say that I should've been," Boozer said to Kendrick Perkins on the ESPN broadcast.

His thoughts on the situation are perfectly valid, but they will not matter now. It will only be a way to motivate him moving forward because he knows he deserves to be in the same conversation as Dybantsa and Peterson. Now, he has a chance to prove everyone wrong through his performances.