Duke star Cameron Boozer’s girlfriend Yva Lauren Cao is turning heads this March Madness
Duke’s freshman star Cameron Boozer has a personal cheerleader on the sidelines, despite her allegiance to his rival school.
As Cameron Boozer continues his breakout freshman season for the Duke Blue Devils, leading the team deep into the 2026 NCAA Tournament, fans have been more interested in his personal life, too. As it turns out, his girlfriend has added an intriguing subplot to Duke’s March Madness run.
Who is Yva Lauren Cao? Meet Boozer’s rival girlfriend
Boozer’s longtime partner is Yva Lauren Cao, a student and cheerleader at the University of Miami, one of Duke’s Atlantic Coast Conference rivals.
The couple’s relationship dates back to their high school days at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, where they met and became close, eventually attending prom together
Unlike many college athletes whose personal lives stay out of the spotlight, Cao has become a visible part of Boozer’s 2025‑26 season. She’s been spotted at several Duke games this year, including the Blue Devils’ ACC Championship celebration, where she turned heads wearing custom Duke “Boozer” boots in a show of support for her boyfriend.
The dynamic is especially compelling because it pits two ACC schools against each other, though not directly on the basketball court this March. While Cao roots for the Miami Hurricanes as a cheerleader, the team’s own March Madness journey ended in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. Still, she has been a visible supporter of Boozer during Duke’s title hunt, sharing photos and moments from behind the scenes of March Madness.
Cao’s accomplishments aren’t limited to being a “basketball girlfriend” either. During her high school years, she earned Miami Herald First Team All‑Dade honors as a cheerleader, an award given to top performers in Miami‑Dade County. Her athletic background and visible presence around college sports give depth to the couple’s public profile as both pursue their own paths.
For Boozer, a frontrunner for National Player of the Year and one of the nation’s most dominant freshmen, having that kind of support off the court is meaningful. Through the ups and downs of ACC play and into the Sweet 16, he’s balanced stardom with a grounded personal life, with Cao often by his side.
Duke is still alive in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, having advanced to the Sweet 16 as the No. 1 overall seed in the East Region and currently preparing for a matchup against St. John’s on Friday. As their tournament run continues, so too will the spotlight on this unique ACC couple, a pair whose story blends athletic ambition, rivalry, and genuine affection.
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