Caleb Foster: ‘I got here to Duke to win, and I’m dwelling out my dream’
Caleb Foster, presently ranked No. 44 on ESPN’s High 100 for the 2025 NBA Draft, made a direct affect in his freshman season at Duke. Foster’s position as sixth man match him completely, stepping in as the first ballhandler when Tyrese Proctor was off the courtroom. He maintained a strong 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio and shot 40.6 p.c from deep. His season was minimize quick by an ankle fracture, however he began 15 video games, serving to Duke to a 13-2 report in these contests.
Regardless of lacking the postseason, the 6-foot-5 guard’s effectivity and capturing made him an important a part of the workforce.
Through the 2024 ACC Tip-Off, Foster spoke with HoopsHype, reflecting on his offseason enhancements, praising the incoming freshman class, and discussing season expectations and extra.
Caleb Foster:I’ve been engaged on my physique this offseason. I clearly acquired damage final season, so I’ve been centered on strengthening my physique, particularly my legs, to have the ability to stand up to the entire season of school basketball. I’m additionally sharpening my expertise – capturing, ball dealing with, ending – just about every part.
CF:No, not likely, man. I’m simply centered on who we play subsequent Saturday. Centered on follow Thursday, actually. We take it daily and be prepared.
CF:I imply, actually all of them. All of them convey totally different points of the sport –Isaiah Evans, Darren Harris, Cooper Flagg, and the others. They choose up ideas actually quick, are in a position to adapt, and may play in numerous positions, which makes them unbelievable.
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CF:The workforce strategy is staying centered on every day development. We’re not likely fascinated about expectations; we’re making an attempt to remain in-house, in our circle, and simply hold getting higher daily. If we put our greatest foot ahead every day, the expectations will deal with themselves.
CF:Man, it’s simply the need to win and being aggressive. I wish to do my finest each time I step on the market. That’s my motivation.
CF:I’m actually centered on right here now. I’m centered on subsequent week, that first recreation, and profitable right here at Duke.
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CF:Most positively. It’s been an enormous step for me, however I’m leaning into this management position. Tyrese, my roommate, has been nice. I like Tyrese [Proctor]. I believe we’re doing a extremely good job main these guys, and we’ve simply acquired to maintain getting higher daily. Maliq Brown and Mason [Gillis], who’ve performed school basketball elsewhere, have additionally contributed with me and Tyrese to assist the youthful guys get by way of day-to-day.
CF:Most likely being extra vocal. I wasn’t actually the man who talked lots, however stepping right into a management position means individuals are wanting as much as me. Now, it’s essential for me to be vocal, particularly since Tyrese and I are the one ones who’ve been right here earlier than.
CF:Not making an attempt to imitate anybody, however my favourite gamers are Devin Booker and Kyrie Irving. I watch a number of them, and I can’t watch for the NBA season to start out so I can watch them play each evening.
CF:I’ve been taking it one step at a time. Clearly, I’d like to play within the NBA in the future, however my dream was to be a star at Duke, play, and lead the workforce to a championship. That’s the place I’m at now, simply making an attempt to remain within the second.
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CF:It’s simply the need to win. I got here to Duke to win, and I’m dwelling out my dream. I wish to give it every part I’ve acquired as a result of not many individuals get the chance to placed on this Duke uniform.
CF:To win. To win each recreation we play.
CF:I imply, that is the most important workforce I’ve been on. They are saying I’m the shortest participant, however I wouldn’t agree with that. I’m proper there with Tyrese and the others; they simply have extra hair. In the event that they minimize their hair, we’d be the identical peak. However defensively, if I’m your shortest participant, that’s one thing you don’t see typically. And Khaman [Maluach] and Maliq Brown are freak athletes, particularly Khaman – he grabbed a shot off the glass the opposite day. It’s loopy.
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CF:I imply, they choose issues up quick. We don’t should repeat stuff two or thrice, such as you may count on with freshmen, which is nice. It helps us get much more finished.
CF:Level guard. I like having the rock in my palms, however I can play level guard, capturing guard, combo guard – it doesn’t matter.
CF:I couldn’t actually let you know, actually. I’m simply out right here now, not listening to what individuals are saying.
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CF:The ACC has been my dream. It’s the very best convention to me. Any given evening, you may get beat, so your habits and what you follow should be sharp. The ACC is the very best, and I’m dwelling the dream enjoying in it.
CF: Most likely throwing a lob, like I did with Sean Stewart. This 12 months, it’ll in all probability be with Khaman. The group erupts once they dunk it.
