Luke Paul says Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje helped sway Duke choice

Both made the FIBA U17 All-Star Five in July

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 2h1 min read

This was in July, 2026: Luke Paul and Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje embracing after both were named to the All-Star Five of th Via @OlgunUluc on X

What happened: Paul told ESPN that Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje was part of what drew him to Duke, where the two are set to be teammates next season. Both were named to the All-Star Five at the FIBA U17 World Cup in July.

Why it matters: The comment ties Paul's college choice to a relationship already built in international play. It also gives Duke two players arriving off the same U17 all-tournament honor.

By the numbers: Paul averaged 15.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks at the 2026 FIBA U17 World Cup, helping Australia win bronze while earning All-Star Five honors.

What to watch: Attention now turns to how Paul and Boumtje-Boumtje carry that U17 connection into Duke's next season.

Sources

@OlgunUluc 2026-10-01T21:05:44.063444+00:00

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