Duke star Cameron Boozer's girlfriend is a cheerleader for an ACC rival As March Madness approaches, Cameron Boozer and the Duke Blue Devils are set to make their mark in the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed. The team, led by Boozer, enters the men’s tournament as heavy favorites after securing a second consecutive ACC tournament title by defeating Virginia 74-70 in the final. Duke’s path includes matchups against UConn, Michigan State, Kansas, and St. John’s in the East region. Boozer’s standout performances have been a major storyline this season, earning him unanimous first-team All-American honors. His achievements follow in the footsteps of Cooper Flagg, who also received the same recognition before being selected first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. Boozer’s personal life has also drawn attention, particularly his relationship with Yva Lauren Cao, a cheerleader for the University of Miami. Cao, who is dating Boozer since 2023 after meeting in high school, represents an ACC rival team, adding an extra layer of intrigue to their relationship. Cao has made a name for herself in her sport, earning First Team-All Dade honors from the Miami Herald, which recognizes the top cheerleaders in Miami-Dade County. She frequently shares her support for Boozer on social media, including attending his ACC Player of the Year ceremony after their tournament win over Virginia. Boozer has expressed his admiration for Cao’s posts, calling them “a good day” on his own social media. The duo’s connection has been a highlight of the season, with Boozer’s focus on team success and winning culture resonating with his coach, Jon Scheyer. Scheyer praised Boozer’s “contagious work ethic” and emphasized his commitment to the team over individual stats. “He’s all about his teammates,” Scheyer said via ESPN.#duke_blue_devils #acc #university_of_miami #cameron_boozer #yva_lauren_cao
Jury deliberations begin in trial of man accused of murdering UM star Bryan Pata Nearly two decades after the tragic killing of former University of Miami football player Bryan Pata, a South Florida jury began deliberations Thursday in the long-awaited murder trial of his former teammate, Rashaun Jones. The case centers on Jones, who is accused of fatally shooting Pata outside his southwest Miami-Dade apartment in November 2006. Pata, who was 22 years old at the time, was found in a pool of blood near a parking lot outside his apartment and was widely regarded as a rising football star with professional aspirations. The trial has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the case and the passage of time since the incident. Defense attorneys have challenged the credibility of the state’s case, arguing that investigators faced pressure to solve the murder and that the charges against Jones are based on circumstantial evidence. They emphasized the lack of direct physical proof linking Jones to the crime, such as DNA or weapon evidence. Prosecutors, while acknowledging the case is largely circumstantial, urged jurors to rely on common sense when evaluating the evidence. They highlighted the timeline of events, including surveillance footage and witness accounts, to build their case against Jones. The prosecution has maintained that the circumstances surrounding the murder point to Jones as the perpetrator, despite the absence of concrete physical evidence. Jones, who has pleaded not guilty, has consistently maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. The trial has been marked by intense scrutiny, with both sides presenting arguments about the reliability of the evidence and the potential for wrongful conviction.#rashaun_jones #bryan_pata #jury_deliberations #university_of_miami #miami_dade
