Duke’s Caleb Foster Overcomes Bench Duty to Shine in Rivalry Game

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Caleb Foster, a sophomore guard for Duke University, faced a challenging moment as the Blue Devils approached the crucial end of the regular season. After earning a ‘Did Not Play—Coach’s Decision’ (DNP-CD) during a recent victory against Wake Forest, Foster found himself sidelined as his minutes dwindled.

Though he played more than 20 minutes in six of the season’s first eight games, Foster’s participation dropped to less than 10 minutes in six of the next eight contests, culminating in his unexpected benching against Wake Forest. Duke head coach Jon Scheyer acknowledged that players often react to such situations in varied ways. “The majority of the time, if not all the time, guys can pout, quit, make an excuse, be pissed at me,” Scheyer said. “I’m sure he’s pissed at me. That’s fine, that’s good, I’m all for that.”

Instead of allowing frustration to consume him, Foster channeled his energy into practice. With Duke needing a spark in their season-ending rivalry game against North Carolina, Foster received the call from the bench. He rose to the occasion, contributing nine minutes of impactful play and helping to ignite a second-half rally. “He doesn’t play last game, and he came back with a big-time attitude,” Scheyer stated. “He really attacked practice the last couple days.”

As the match against North Carolina unfolded, it became clear that Duke’s reliance on Foster had paid off. His readiness to respond demonstrated what Scheyer referred to as a “big-time competitor” and highlighted his character as a player.

Duke, historically dominant in the ACC tournament with a record 19 titles, is set to face off against formidable opponents as they pursue further accolades. Despite an aggressive schedule, Duke has not lost at home to a non-conference team since 2000.

Foster is not the only player contributing to Duke’s success this season. Teammate Maliq Brown, a key defensive asset, has faced his own challenges. After a dislocated shoulder kept him off the court for three weeks, he returned just in time for the postseason. In his first game back, he hit two three-pointers, showcasing his resilience. “I wish I had his spirit,” Scheyer remarked about Brown’s determination.

However, during the ACC Tournament opener, Brown re-injured his shoulder. Despite the setback, he made an inspiring return during Duke’s Sweet 16 game against Arizona, where his emergency presence on the court proved valuable.

Another significant contributor is fifth-year transfer Mason Gillis, a seasoned player whose experience from Purdue’s last year’s Final Four run has added depth to Duke’s roster. “Mason Gillis for us, sixth most efficient offensive player in the country the year before. Mason was a no-brainer for us,” Scheyer noted, praising Gillis’s leadership and ability to perform under pressure.

Duke’s roster was fortified by transfer Sion James from Tulane, who filled the final remaining spot on the team last season. His contribution has been impactful, providing versatility and unselfish play that enhances the team dynamic. “It’s hard to imagine our team without Sion,” Scheyer expressed, reflecting on James’s importance to the squad.

As Duke prepares for the next stages of the tournament, the collective effort and resilience of players like Foster, Brown, Gillis, and James manifest the spirit of the team’s championship aspirations.