FOX Sports analyst turns heads with Cam Boozer lazy take as the next Nikola Jokic

FOX Sports analyst Jason McIntyre went off the rails by comparing Cam Boozer to two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. His arguement centered around the Duke Blue Devils freshman producing at a level never seen from an 18-year-old.

McIntyre made the comparison while discussing Duke’s outlook entering the NCAA Tournament, where the Blue Devils are the No. 1 overall seed and increasingly reliant on Boozer following injuries to two starters. The analyst added advanced metrics from Pomeroy that rate Boozer as the most efficient college player in the analytics database’s 25-year history.

One problem with the comparison is Jokic never went to college and wasn't scouted based on Pomeroy. Boozer is averaging roughly 22 points, 10 rebounds and four assists per game while shooting 62% from two-point range and 40% from three.

“He doesn’t have the flash,” McIntyre said, noting Boozer lacks the highlight-reel athleticism of prospects such as Darryn Peterson or AJ Dybantsa. “But he’s incredibly skilled and efficient.”

McIntyre’s comparison centered on style and development timeline rather than direct equivalence. Jokic entered the NBA at 20 after playing professionally in Serbia and didn't make an immediate impact. However, McIntyre argued Boozer’s statistical dominance at a younger age could translate to immediate NBA production.

More: Steven A. Smith makes bold prediction with new No. 1 in NBA Draft

But the comparison seems premature at this point. Jokic developed through a different professional route before becoming one of the NBA’s most unique playmaking centers. As for Boozer, he was born into the game of basketball. The son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer is  dominating the college game and should be. 

Whether the Jokic comparison ultimately proves accurate remains uncertain. For now, Boozer’s efficiency and maturity have made him one of the most compelling players in this year’s NCAA Tournament.

More college basketball news:

• Darryn Peterson situation not alarming to NBA teams, ESPN insider says
• AJ Dybantsa makes college basketball history never done by NBA stars
• John Calipari says college athletics is broken — Here’s his plan to fix it
• Mike Krzyzewski fights against NCAA Tournament expansion
• Where Arkansas Darius Acuff Jr. ranks among John Calipari's best NBA guards