Can Gilbert Arenas’ son, Alijah Arenas, settle an old score? For those keeping count, Gil lost six out of ten NBA matchups against Carlos Boozer. But now, the spotlight has shifted to their kids. As most fans would know, Alijah Arenas has secured a spot on the 2025 McDonald’s All-American Game boys’ roster, representing the West team. Fun fact—this is a feat even his dad couldn’t pull off.
On the other hand, Carlos Boozer achieved the same honor back in 1999, and now his twin sons, Cameron and Cayden Boozer, have followed suit. With both the Boozer twins representing the East, a showdown is inevitable. Will they maintain his father’s winning record against the Arenas is a question for which we need to have a closer look at the comparison of their stats and achievements.
Alijah Arenas and Cameron Boozer: Scoring beast vs a versatile talent
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When comparing Alijah Arenas and Cameron Boozer, it’s tempting to declare a winner based on raw stats alone. Many fans, at first glance, might give the edge to Alijah Arenas, and honestly, it’s not hard to see why. The son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas burst onto the high school basketball scene with a scoring flair that was simply hard to ignore. As a freshman at Chatsworth High School, Alijah averaged a jaw-dropping 30.3 points per game. That’s not just good—it’s extraordinary.
On the other hand, Cameron Boozer’s freshman numbers at Columbus High School were solid in their own right, with 18.9 points per game. Impressive? Absolutely. But when compared to Arenas’ fireworks, Boozer’s scoring seems more like a spark than an explosion. Even as Boozer improved, averaging 21.1 points per game in his sophomore year and 22.2 in his junior season, he couldn’t quite match Arenas’ relentless scoring pace of 33 points in his sophomore year and 31.8 in his junior season.
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Now, as Alijah gears up for his senior year, there’s little doubt he’ll continue to be a scoring machine. But does that automatically make him better than Cameron Boozer? Not so fast. As we know it, basketball isn’t just about how many points you can put on the board. Let’s dive into what sets these two apart in other areas of the game.
Take rebounding, for example. This is where Cameron Boozer shines brighter than anyone else on the court. Sure, Alijah started strong with 9 rebounds per game as a freshman, but by his junior year, that number dipped to 7.5. Compare that to Boozer, who started with an already impressive 10.9 rebounds per game as a freshman and now averages a dominant 12.2 in his senior year.
It’s clear Boozer’s rebounding skills aren’t just consistent—they’re elite. His dominance was on full display in the 2024 EYBL and the 2024 FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup, where he topped the leaderboard in rebounding. And then there’s defense.
Boozer’s ability to block shots is another area where he leaves Arenas in the dust. While Boozer has averaged 2 or more blocks per game every season through his junior year, Arenas has only cracked the 1-block mark once—back in his freshman season.
USA Today via Reuters July 17, 2024; North Augusta, S.C., USA; Nightrydas Elite’s Cameron Boozer (12) moves towards the basket as Team Herro’s Xzavion Mitchell (2) defends during the Nightrydas Elite and Team Herro game at the Nike Peach Jam at Riverview Park Activities Center. Nightrydas Elite won 88-58. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Network
So, who’s the better player, you ask? If you’re looking for a pure scorer with solid rebounding skills, Alijah Arenas is your guy. But if you want a well-rounded player who excels on both ends of the floor and dominates the boards, Cameron Boozer is hard to beat. But all this comparison still leaves the department of assists out of discussion. And that’s exactly where the second of the Boozer twins, Cayden Boozer shines the brightest.
Cayden’s playmaking skills are far superior to that of Alijah Arenas
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Let’s face it—when you’re as gifted a scorer as Alijah, it’s easy to overlook the importance of passing. But think about this: if legends like Magic Johnson and Stephen Curry could light up the scoreboard and dish out jaw-dropping assists, why can’t Arenas step it up in the playmaking department too? So far, however, the numbers just don’t back him up.
Alijah averaged fewer than three assists per game during his first two years of high school basketball. Sure, he’s made some progress, improving to 4.3 assists per game as a junior, but it’s clear there’s still a lot of work to do. Especially when you compare it to Cayden Boozer. A guy who’s been quietly, yet consistently, proving himself as an elite playmaker.
via Imago Cayden Boozer of Christopher Columbus High School scores against Great Crossing High School during the City of Palms Classic at Suncoast Arena on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. Columbus won.
Starting with a respectable 5.1 assists per game as a freshman, Cayden’s numbers have climbed to an impressive 7.2 assists per game in his senior year. And if you’ve watched him at the EYBL or the 2024 FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup, you’ve seen him dominate the assist leaderboard like a pro.
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Sure, Cayden’s not dropping 30+ points per game like Alijah. But with his 14.3 points per game and the ability to make his teammates better, he’s playing a different kind of game. For the final answer to comparisons, however, fans will have to wait for their clash in the McDonald’s All-American game.