Caleb Foster: ‘I came to Duke to win, and I’m living out my dream’
Caleb Foster, currently ranked No. 44 on ESPN’s Top 100 for the 2025 NBA Draft, made an immediate impact in his freshman season at Duke. Foster’s role as sixth man fit him perfectly, stepping in as the primary ballhandler when Tyrese Proctor was off the court. He maintained a solid 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio and shot 40.6 percent from deep. His season was cut short by an ankle fracture, but he started 15 games, helping Duke to a 13-2 record in those contests.
Despite missing the postseason, the 6-foot-5 guard’s efficiency and shooting made him a crucial part of the team.
During the 2024 ACC Tip-Off, Foster spoke with HoopsHype, reflecting on his offseason improvements, praising the incoming freshman class, and discussing season expectations and more.
Caleb Foster: I’ve been working on my body this offseason. I obviously got hurt last season, so I’ve been focused on strengthening my body, especially my legs, to be able to withstand the whole season of college basketball. I’m also sharpening my skills – shooting, ball handling, finishing – pretty much everything.
CF: No, not really, man. I’m just focused on who we play next Saturday. Focused on practice Thursday, honestly. We take it day by day and be ready.
CF: I mean, really all of them. They all bring different aspects of the game –Isaiah Evans, Darren Harris, Cooper Flagg, and the others. They pick up concepts really fast, are able to adapt, and can play in different positions, which makes them unbelievable.
CF: The team approach is staying focused on daily progression. We’re not really thinking about expectations; we’re trying to stay in-house, in our circle, and just keep getting better every day. If we put our best foot forward each day, the expectations will take care of themselves.
CF: Man, it’s just the will to win and being competitive. I want to do my best every time I step out there. That’s my motivation.
CF: I’m really focused on here now. I’m focused on next week, that first game, and winning here at Duke.
CF: Most definitely. It’s been a big step for me, but I’m leaning into this leadership role. Tyrese, my roommate, has been great. I love Tyrese [Proctor]. I think we’re doing a really good job leading these guys, and we’ve just got to keep getting better every day. Maliq Brown and Mason [Gillis], who’ve played college basketball elsewhere, have also contributed with me and Tyrese to help the younger guys get through day-to-day.
CF: Probably being more vocal. I wasn’t really the guy who talked a lot, but stepping into a leadership role means people are looking up to me. Now, it’s important for me to be vocal, especially since Tyrese and I are the only ones who have been here before.
CF: Not trying to mimic anyone, but my favorite players are Devin Booker and Kyrie Irving. I watch a lot of them, and I can’t wait for the NBA season to start so I can watch them play every night.
CF: I’ve been taking it one step at a time. Obviously, I’d love to play in the NBA one day, but my dream was to be a star at Duke, play, and lead the team to a championship. That’s where I’m at now, just trying to stay in the moment.
CF: It’s just the will to win. I came to Duke to win, and I’m living out my dream. I want to give it everything I’ve got because not many people get the opportunity to put on this Duke uniform.
CF: To win. To win every game we play.
CF: I mean, this is the biggest team I’ve been on. They say I’m the shortest player, but I wouldn’t agree with that. I’m right there with Tyrese and the others; they just have more hair. If they cut their hair, we’d be the same height. But defensively, if I’m your shortest player, that’s something you don’t see often. And Khaman [Maluach] and Maliq Brown are freak athletes, especially Khaman – he grabbed a shot off the glass the other day. It’s crazy.
CF: I mean, they pick things up fast. We don’t have to repeat stuff two or three times, like you might expect with freshmen, which is great. It helps us get a lot more done.
CF: Point guard. I like having the rock in my hands, but I can play point guard, shooting guard, combo guard – it doesn’t matter.
CF: I couldn’t really tell you, honestly. I’m just out here now, not paying attention to what people are saying.
CF: The ACC has been my dream. It’s the best conference to me. Any given night, you can get beat, so your habits and what you practice have to be sharp. The ACC is the best, and I’m living the dream playing in it.
CF: Probably throwing a lob, like I did with Sean Stewart. This year, it’ll probably be with Khaman. The crowd erupts when they dunk it.
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