Duke University’s men’s basketball team is entering the crucial stretch of the NCAA Tournament, and all eyes are on whether star guard Caleb Foster will return to the lineup. The Blue Devils, who earned the No. 1 overall seed, face a tough matchup against fifth-seeded St. John’s in the East Region semifinals Friday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. As Duke looks to advance toward another Final Four appearance, the potential return of Foster could be a game-changing boost for the squad. His presence on the court not only provides scoring and playmaking but also leadership and poise that the team has relied on throughout the season.
Caleb Foster has been sidelined since March 7, when he injured his right foot against North Carolina in the final regular-season game. The injury required surgery the following day to repair a foot fracture, forcing him to miss the ACC Tournament and Duke’s first two NCAA Tournament contests. During his absence, freshman guard Cayden Boozer has stepped up admirably, contributing to the Blue Devils’ offensive and defensive schemes. However, Foster’s experience and toughness add a layer of versatility that is difficult to replace, especially as the competition intensifies in the tournament.
Duke coach Jon Scheyer spoke candidly about Foster’s status during an interview with Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, noting that the guard has been working tirelessly to return despite his recent injury. “When he first got hurt I thought there was like, one in a million,” Scheyer said in an InsideCollegeBasketballNow podcast with Rothstein. “Since then, the chances have continued to increase. I even think there’s an outside chance, maybe for Friday. I know in Caleb’s mind it was last Friday. He’s trying to do the impossible here and come back as soon as he can.”
In addition to Foster, center Patrick Ngongba II has been navigating the postseason on a scooter while supporting the team from the sidelines. Ngongba returned to action Saturday in Duke’s 81-58 win over TCU in the second round, after missing the UNC game, the ACC Tournament, and the Blue Devils’ NCAA opener against Siena. The visual of both Foster and Ngongba using scooters while still being present for practices and games highlights the determination and commitment of Duke’s players, emphasizing the team-first mentality that has propelled the Blue Devils throughout the season.
Statistically, Foster has been a key contributor for Duke this year, averaging 8.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists over 31 games while shooting 40% from beyond the arc. He had a standout performance with 20 points in an early January road win at Louisville and played a pivotal role with 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in the victory over Michigan that helped Duke claim the No. 1 spot in the AP poll. With the NCAA Tournament heating up, the possibility of Foster returning adds a compelling subplot as the Blue Devils chase a national championship run.