Forward Cameron Boozer believes he deserved to be the No.1 overall pick, but his focus is on the upcoming season and beyond.

Boozer was selected No.3 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in this year's NBA Draft. He led the Grizzlies summer league team to the championship, where they lost 94-90 to the Golden State Warriors.

Darryn Peterson (Utah Jazz) and AJ Dybantsa (Washington Wizards) were selected in front of Boozer in the 2026 draft. The No. 3 overall pick was asked about his thoughts on not being selected No. 1 overall.

According to The Athletic's Tony Jones, Boozer believes that he should have been in the conversation for the No.1 overall pick.

"I feel like God has a plan for me, and I’m in Memphis for a reason," Boozer said. "We can talk about the draft, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter where you start, it’s where you finish. In 10 years, it’s not going to matter where I got drafted. It’s going to matter what I’m doing, and it’s going to be about what I can do to help teams win.”

Boozer, who selected No. 27 for his jersey to honor his mother, has been seen as a franchise player for the Grizzlies. He averaged 18 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting 49 percent from the field in the Salt Lake City Summer League.

On the flip side, he averaged 18.5 points, eight rebounds, and 3.7 assists in the Las Vegas Summer League. He was one of the most consistent players throughout the summer and helped lead the team to a championship, earning him All-Summer League First-Team honors.

Before the start of the Summer League, the Grizzlies' forward received practice in speaking as the franchise player when he was asked about the Ja Morant trade.

On July 2, Boozer commented on the recent trade.  He explained that he didn't know that Morant was going to be traded. While saying he didn't know, he added that it was the front office's decision.

Boozer's answer displayed his maturity as a rookie. The fact that his father, Carlos Boozer, played 13 years in the NBA and played his collegiate career at Duke is an advantage for Cameron Boozer.

The No. 3 overall pick has already handled himself well in the media and in how he responds as the potential face of the franchise. During the summer, he has already received compliments from NBA favorites and former players, such as Brian Scalabrine and Isaiah Thomas.

Memphis drafted Boozer No.3 overall, Karim López No.21, and Richie Saunders at No.32. Only Boozer and Lòpez, who played one game in the Summer League, have showcased their talents during the Summer.

Saunders has yet to play due to recovering from an ACL tear. However, the team added grit and physicality when they accquired Isaiah Stewart from the Detroit Pistons.

The Grizzlies acquired Jerami Grant and Kris Murray from the Morant trade.

The Grizzlies will be a young team, but the front office will decide how to shape the roster. The projected starting lineup for 2026 could feature Scotty Pippen Jr., Cedric Coward, Jerami Grant, Cameron Boozer, and Zach Edey.