PHOENIX – Childhood dream fulfilled.
Cameron Williams, a consensus five-star recruit from St. Mary’s Catholic High School and the No. 1 rated high school boys basketball player in Arizona, has committed to Duke.
Before announcing his decision on the St. Mary’s campus Friday, Williams thanked his mother, Brenea Lytton, and his father, Charles Williams. His grandmother, two brothers and his sister also joined him for the announcement.
After saying that his parents helped make him the person he is, he revealed he’d be playing for the Blue Devils, picking them over the University of Arizona and Texas.
“It felt different from all the other visits,” Williams said of his trip to Durham, North Carolina. “Coach (Jon) Scheyer and his staff have a lot of belief in me, and that’s what really made me want to go.”
247Sports’s No. 4-ranked player in the class of 2026 had narrowed his college decision earlier to the Wildcats, Longhorns and Duke, but ultimately fulfilled a childhood dream by choosing the Blue Devils.
“Words cannot describe how proud I am,” Lytton said. “He has really put in the work to get to this point, and I know it is just the start, but I am so excited.”
Joining fellow five-star forward Byson Howard and four-star center Maxime Meyer, Williams helps form the foundation of another stacked Duke recruiting class.
Williams is the 22nd five-star to commit to Duke under Scheyer, joining recent standouts such as last year’s No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft, Cooper Flagg, and rising NBA superstar Paolo Banchero. Both dominated in their freshman campaigns.
The 6-foot-11 Williams hopes to follow in their footsteps.
“I have a long way to go and a lot of work to put in, but I am excited,” Williams said. “I know there are going to be good days and bad days, but as long as I take care of my business and do what I need to do, I will be fine.”
Last season, Williams averaged 18 points, 11.2 rebounds and 4.4 “stocks” (steals plus blocks) while helping St. Mary’s capture the 4A state championship. He can score on all three levels while also turning into an immovable force on the defensive end.
Scouts and fans online have dubbed him “Baby KD” for his physical resemblance to Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant.
However, Williams was not always a consensus five-star. He entered 2025 ranked No. 36 in the class of 2026, according to 247Sports, before skyrocketing up the rankings.
Williams’ longtime trainer, Paul Suber, said he always believed Williams had the potential to be an elite player.
“Unless you get a memo from God that you are going to be 6-foot-11, you do not know,” Suber said. “Cam has always had that work ethic. He would come in and just work, work and work. Next thing you know, we’re going to the gym, and he’s turning everybody’s head.”
It’s a work ethic and mindset that Suber said Williams gets from his parents.
“There are no excuses, you have got to get stuff done,” Williams said. “I try my best to be that role model for other guys, because I know people look up to me. I just try to do everything the right way.”
With St. Mary’s season tipping off in just a few weeks, Williams said that committing has lifted a huge weight off his shoulders. He is now fully focused on his senior season, where his goals go beyond defending the 4A title.
“We are going for the Open (Division championship) this year,” Williams said.
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