All eyes are on Duke Basketball’s loaded roster this summer — and while most of the buzz has surrounded the flashy new faces, there’s one returnee who suddenly finds himself in a surprising spot: Caleb Foster.
The sophomore guard, once viewed as a likely starter heading into the 2025–26 season, is now facing serious competition… and his spot in the lineup might be slipping.
A Shaky Summer So Far?
Multiple insiders who’ve attended Duke’s closed-door practices have hinted that Foster hasn’t been as sharp as expected. His decision-making has looked tentative at times, and he’s reportedly struggled to assert himself amid the program’s growing collection of elite talent.
It’s not that Foster lacks ability — we know he can shoot it, we’ve seen the poise — but compared to some of the explosive showings by teammates like Cameron Boozer, Sebastian Wilkins, and Cayden Boozer, Foster’s summer hasn’t exactly popped off the page.
The Youth Movement Is Real
One thing is clear: Jon Scheyer isn’t afraid to reward production over seniority. Sources say practices have been highly competitive, with lineups constantly shifting. If you’re not performing, you’re sliding — simple as that.
That’s been great news for freshman phenom Dame Sarr, whose shot creation and defensive energy have reportedly been electric in early runs. He’s making a serious push to take over primary ball-handling duties — a role Foster was expected to grow into.
Add to that the emergence of Isaiah Evans as a vocal leader and Patrick Ngongba II dominating the glass, and it’s clear this isn’t last year’s Duke team anymore.
What This Means for Foster
This doesn’t mean Foster is done — far from it. Coaches still value his experience, and his chemistry with fellow returnee Maliq Brown is real. But if Duke’s staff is making decisions based strictly on performance this summer… Foster may need to kick things into high gear.
Because right now? His grip on a starting role looks shakier than ever.
