AP national player of the year Cameron Boozer is recovering physically, emotionally from UConn loss

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Duke star freshman and top NBA prospect Cameron Boozer is still healing, both emotionally after the Blue Devils' devastating March Madness loss to UConn and physically after suffering a facial injury in that game.

The 6-foot-9, 250-pound forward said Sunday he sustained “a couple of fractures” during the Blue Devils' loss in the Elite Eight.

Boozer, who on Friday became only the fifth freshman named as The Associated Press men's national player of the year, was hurt in the first half last Sunday when he went up for a shot against 7-foot-1 center Eric Reibe. Reibe's left elbow struck Boozer near his right eye as Reibe contested the shot, leading to significant swelling around and under the eye.

The swelling around his right eye was down Sunday, though the white part was still bright red. Boozer said he opted against having surgery in favor of giving it time to heal.

“I have a couple of fractures, but I’m all good,” Boozer said during Sunday’s award presentation for winning the AP national honor, along with another from the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. “Just going through the healing process.”

Boozer fought through the injury the rest of the way and finished with 27 points, including a tough spinning basket into the paint against traffic with Duke leading by just one in the final minute. It was one of multiple examples this season of Boozer playing through bumps, blows and hard fouls, such as a late-season win at N.C. State in which Boozer had gnarly long scratches near his right shoulder after being scratched by a Wolfpack defender.

The Huskies went on to win on Braylon Mullins' last-second 3-pointer to complete a stunning comeback from 19 down. Boozer's twin brother, Cayden, received torrents of online abuse after committing Duke's last turnover before Mullins' winner.

Cameron pointed out that “that one play isn't the reason we lost.”

“There’s not really that much I can say to make him feel better," Boozer said. "We're all hurting as a team, but we’re going to get through it together. We're a super-connected group.

"It's definitely a hard moment. But he’s a tough guy. We're all tough, it’s going to make us so much better going forward. It's something you’ve got to take on the chin and learn and grow from.”

UConn went on to beat Illinois in Saturday's national semifinal and will face a Michigan team that has rolled through the tournament, scoring 90-plus points in every game and winning each by at least 13 points. Duke, the NCAA Tournament’s No. 1 overall seed, was one of three teams to beat Michigan all year.

Boozer’s award presentation came on the same stage where UConn and Michigan were holding news conferences ahead of playing Monday for the national title.

“It’s a lot of emotions going into it,” Boozer said of being at Lucas Oil Stadium. “But yeah, it’s definitely tough being here for sure.”

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

Associated Press Director of Global Text & Communication Production Barry Bedlan, right, hands Duke forward Cameron Boozer a trophy after winning the Oscar Robertson Player of the Year awarded by the Associated Press and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association during a news conference at the Final Four NCAA basketball tournament, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Associated Press Director of Global Text & Communication Production Barry Bedlan, right, and Duke forward Cameron Boozer listen as USBWA representative Matt Norlander, left, speaks after announcing the Oscar Robertson Player of the Year awarded by the Associated Press and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association during a news conference at the Final Four NCAA basketball tournament, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Duke forward Cameron Boozer speaks after winning the Oscar Robertson Player of the Year awarded by the Associated Press and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association during a news conference at the Final Four NCAA basketball tournament, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

General manager Tom Fitzgerald is parting ways with the New Jersey Devils, the latest NHL team to make an abrupt late-season change in the front office or behind the bench.

Co-owner David Blitzer announced Monday that a decision had been made for Fitzgerald to leave the organization. Fitzgerald had been GM since January 2020 and got the title president of hockey operations early in 2024, along with a contract extension.

“Tom and I had a thoughtful conversation today and agreed it was time to move in a new direction,” Blitzer said. “Tom changed the trajectory of our team here, including setting a franchise record for points in a season and helping make New Jersey a hockey destination. He is a well-respected leader across the Devils’ organization and NHL, and I am grateful for our friendship."

Fitzgerald was responsible for building much of the core of the roster around top picks Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes, who were drafted when he was an assistant to Ray Shero. The 57-year-old endured criticism in recent months for signing players to contracts with restrictive no-trade clauses and for extending Jacob Markstrom early, before the goaltender's struggles.

“After talking with David Blitzer, it was apparent to everyone that the best course of action is to move on for the benefit of the team,” Fitzgerald said. “The Devils are fortunate to have a core of great players, vocal and passionate fans, but most importantly, tremendous people who worked with me toward a common goal. I’ve always said that New Jersey is a hidden gem, and I’m proud of the effort that we put in to raise the standard and make it a destination."

New Jersey made the playoffs twice in the five seasons with Fitzgerald in charge, losing in the second round in 2023 and bowing out in the first round last year.

“As we prepare to move forward, it is important I acknowledge our fans: I recognize we have not delivered in the way you expect and deserve and I understand and share in your frustration,” Blitzer said. "This is a critical offseason for our franchise, and we will explore all avenues that best position the Devils to compete for a Stanley Cup once again.”

It's unclear what this means for the future of coach Sheldon Keefe, who is nearing the end of his second season. Fitzgerald hired Keefe in May 2024.

Fitzgerald, who was part of USA Hockey's management group that constructed the roster that won gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics, could immediately become a candidate for one of the other GM vacancies around the league. The Nashville Predators with Barry Trotz retiring and Toronto Maple Leafs after firing Brad Treliving are currently searching for a new head of hockey operations.

“I am incredibly appreciative to David, Josh Harris, and the entire New Jersey Devils organization for being a part of my life for the past decade," Fitzgerald said. "I look forward to the next step in my hockey career and will always look back fondly on my time with the Devils.”

Fitzgerald spent time in Nashville and Toronto during his playing career. He was the first captain of the Predators, wearing the “C” from 1998-02 while Trotz was coaching the team and played two seasons with the Maple Leafs from '02-04.

After going into management, Fitzgerald was director of player development when Pittsburgh won the Stanley Cup in 2009. He joined the Devils in 2015.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25), Timo Meier (28) and Luke Hughes (43) celebrate their win over the Montreal Canadiens in an NHL hockey game in Montreal, Sunday, April 5, 2026. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)