Caleb Foster, presently ranked No. 44 on ESPN’s Prime 100 for the 2025 NBA Draft, made a right away influence 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 court docket. He maintained a strong 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio and shot 40.6 % from deep. His season was minimize brief by an ankle fracture, however he began 15 video games, serving to Duke to a 13-2 document in these contests.

Regardless of lacking the postseason, the 6-foot-5 guard’s effectivity and capturing made him a vital a part of the workforce.

Throughout 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 bought damage final season, so I’ve been targeted 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 abilities – capturing, ball dealing with, ending – just about all the things.

CF: No, probably not, man. I’m simply targeted on who we play subsequent Saturday. Targeted on observe Thursday, truthfully. We take it day-to-day and be prepared.

CF: I imply, actually all of them. All of them deliver completely different elements 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 method is staying targeted on every day development. We’re probably not fascinated with expectations; we’re making an attempt to remain in-house, in our circle, and simply hold getting higher on daily basis. If we put our greatest foot ahead every day, the expectations will handle themselves.

CF: Man, it’s simply the desire to win and being aggressive. I need to do my finest each time I step on the market. That’s my motivation.

CF: I’m actually targeted on right here now. I’m targeted on subsequent week, that first sport, and successful right here at Duke.

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CF: Most undoubtedly. 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 feel we’re doing a extremely good job main these guys, and we’ve simply bought to maintain getting higher on daily basis. 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 day-to-day.

CF: In all probability being extra vocal. I wasn’t actually the man who talked rather a lot, however stepping right into a management position means individuals are trying as much as me. Now, it’s necessary 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 quite a lot of them, and I can’t look ahead to 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 desire to win. I got here to Duke to win, and I’m residing out my dream. I need to give it all the things I’ve bought as a result of not many individuals get the chance to placed on this Duke uniform.

CF: To win. To win each sport we play.

CF: I imply, that is the largest 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 only have extra hair. In the event that they minimize their hair, we’d be the identical top. However defensively, if I’m your shortest participant, that’s one thing you don’t see usually. 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 must repeat stuff two or thrice, such as you may anticipate with freshmen, which is nice. It helps us get much more performed.

CF: Level guard. I like having the rock in my fingers, however I can play level guard, capturing guard, combo guard – it doesn’t matter.

CF: I couldn’t actually let you know, truthfully. I’m simply out right here now, not listening to what individuals are saying.

Jim Dedmon-Imagn Photographs

CF: The ACC has been my dream. It’s the most effective convention to me. Any given evening, you may get beat, so your habits and what you observe must be sharp. The ACC is the most effective, and I’m residing the dream taking part in in it.

CF: In all probability throwing a lob, like I did with Sean Stewart. This 12 months, it’ll in all probability be with Khaman. The gang erupts after they dunk it.

It’s phenomenal. He is aware of easy methods to play, he’s unselfish, and he does no matter it takes to win. I’m excited to get on the market with him.

You possibly can observe Cyro Asseo (@CyroAsseo) on X, previously referred to as Twitter.