Boozer fifth freshman to win AP Player of Year

Duke freshman Cameron Boozer has been named the Associated Press men’s national player of the year, a rare honor that has gone to only four other freshmen.

The AP reported Friday that Boozer is the fifth freshman ever to win the award and the second straight Duke player to claim it. The recognition adds to an already decorated season for the Blue Devils forward.

Boozer’s selection comes after a strong postseason award run. Duke’s official site said earlier this week that he swept several NABC honors, including Division I Player of the Year, Big Man of the Year and Freshman of the Year. The Atlantic Coast Conference also named him its Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year earlier in the season.

The AP report did not add any major complications to the race for the national honor, and the story was quickly matched by other coverage. For Duke, it is another high-profile national award in a season that has again put the program at the center of the college basketball conversation.