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Caleb Foster Wills Duke to Elite Eight Despite Foot Fracture

In the NCAA Sweet 16, Duke's Caleb Foster played through a recently fractured foot, scoring 11 points and adding two assists in 18 minutes to secure an 80-75 victory over St. John's. Coach Jon Scheyer acknowledged Foster shouldn't have played but highlighted his extraordinary will and leadership. Foster, the Blue Devils' veteran with 96 games, sparked a seven-point run to overcome a deficit and provided steady guidance in huddles. His return was driven by a personal promise to his coach after a previous injury. This resilient performance propelled Duke to the Elite Eight, underscoring Foster's clutch ability and team impact.

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Caleb Foster Wills Duke to Elite Eight Despite Foot Fracture

Caleb Foster, playing just weeks after surgery for a fractured right foot, scored 11 points and provided crucial leadership to help Duke defeat St. John's 80-75 in the Sweet 16, advancing to the Elite Eight.

Postgame Scene

Foster arrived at the press conference on a Knee Rover scooter, his right foot iced and hobbling. Coach Jon Scheyer openly stated, "He had no business playing in this game," noting that statistics fail to measure Foster's heart and determination.

Injury and Recovery

  • Foster fractured his right foot on March 7 against North Carolina and had surgery on March 8.
  • Doctors suggested a two-week recovery, but Foster aimed to return sooner.
  • He did not participate in any five-on-five practices with the team before the Sweet 16 game.

Game Impact

St. John's used disruptive pressure to build a 55-45 lead with a 13-0 run. Foster entered at the 14:36 mark and scored seven consecutive points, halting the run and calming Duke's huddle.

  • Final stats: 11 points, 2 assists in 18 minutes.
  • Teammate Cam Boozer identified Foster's scoring streak as the clear sign of his impact.
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Leadership and Experience

Foster is Duke's most experienced player with 96 games played. In the five games prior to his injury, he had 22 assists and only 2 turnovers. His vocal leadership and composure were critical during high-pressure moments.

Personal Motivation

A North Carolina native, Foster grew up idolizing Duke's championships. After a stress fracture ended his freshman season early, he secured a promise from Coach Scheyer to allow his return if medically possible, saying, "You got to promise me you'll let me put this uniform on again."

Clutch Finale

With 2.1 seconds left and Duke organizing a press-break, Foster directed players and delivered a hard pass to Boozer, who was fouled and sealed the win with free throws. Foster responded with a stoic fist pump.

Coach's Assessment

Scheyer called the performance "surreal" and emphasized Foster's role as the team's rudder: "He's our most experienced guy in these moments... he was going to will us to victory, and that's what he did."

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