Basketball fans flocked to Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League, but the stands at Bishop Gorman High School, 20 minutes from the Strip, were packed to see Cameron and Cayden Boozer (son of Carlos Boozer) take on Bryce James (son of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James) and Kiyan Anthony (son of Carmelo Anthony). All three fathers were teammates in the 2008 Team USA group which won a gold medal. Boozers team Nightrydas Elite defeated Strive for Greatness 77-69 at the Big Time Basketball Tournament in Las Vegas.
LeBron James, watching from home, was noticeably absent from the sidelines, but his mother Savannah James was seated courtside. Carmelo Anthony and Carlos Boozer were also on hand to watch the action, all cheering on their sons during the game.
It was a six-point halftime game with Nightrydas Elite keeping the lead. Strive for Greatness had no answer for Cameron Boozer throughout the match as he imposed his will with his strength and presence inside and outside of the lane. Nightrydas Elite extended the lead to 17 with four minutes remaining and it was a 3-pointer from Bryce James that cut the lead to eight with two minutes remaining.
Nightrydas Elite remained calm in the final minutes of the game making good passes, making saves and making free throws. Cameron Boozer led all players and finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in the victory. For Strive For Greatness, James finished with six points after getting 11 points on Sunday night and Anthony was very active, both offensively and defensively, finishing with 12 points after dropping 22 points the previous game.
The Boozer twins just won the title at Nike’s Peach Jam just a week ago and Nightrydas Elite have been dominating all competition this spring and summer. Leading the way is 6-foot-9 forward Cameron Boozer, who is the No. 1 player in the incoming junior class and arguably the best player in high school basketball, regardless of class. Cayden Boozer, a 6-4 combo guard, is a top 25 rookie in the 2025 class and seems much more comfortable as a primary ball handler. His 3-point shooting has improved, he’s one of the best passers in the class and continues to make good reading in the lane. During Peach Jam, Cayden Boozer recorded 46 assists in just eight games.
Both players have offers from Duke, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Arkansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas and Missouri, as well as recent offers from Texas.
This is the first time James and Anthony have played on the same team, with Anthony playing in Nike’s EYBL Under-17 division for his father’s team, Team Melo. Anthony, a 6-4 point guard in the Class of 2025, is one of the most improved guards in the class and has spent the spring and summer with his father and NBA coach Chris Brickley working on his game. of legs. His jumping shot has improved, especially from behind the arc, and he’s starting to make better decisions after turning the corner, whether it’s an elbow pull-up or a jumping jumper. returns from the corner. James shows a little more finesse around the rim and has confidence behind the arc, whether out of dribbling or catch-and-shoot situations.
James, like his older brother Bronny James, will likely keep his recruitment completely secret. The 6-4 wing transferred from Sierra Canyon High School in the spring and will play for Campbell Hall (outside Los Angeles), alongside Chris Paul’s son, Chris Paul Jr.
Anthony has the opportunity to follow in his father’s footsteps with the offer from Syracuse at the start of his freshman year. At the start of his junior season, he also has offers from Indiana, Memphis, Seton Hall, Tennessee and Illinois. Anthony will play for powerhouse Long Island Lutheran (New York) this coming season.