Expectations were high. Coming into summer practice, Caleb Foster was supposed to be the returning leader — the guy who had “next” in Durham. But just a few weeks into team workouts, the chatter coming out of Duke’s camp has fans very concerned.
According to multiple sources close to the program, Foster has looked… off.
> “He’s not the same player we saw flashes of last season,” one practice attendee reported.
“His confidence looks shaken, and he’s been outplayed by the freshmen in more than one scrimmage.”
The most worrying part? It’s not just a shooting slump.
Observers say Foster has struggled with decision-making, defensive intensity, and even body language — looking unsure of himself during key moments in practice. His minutes in full-speed scrimmages have reportedly been cut in favor of freshmen like Dame Sarr and Cameron Boozer, who have been lighting it up.
> “He’s not commanding the floor like he should be,” one insider noted.
“You can feel it — he’s playing hesitant. Like he’s stuck between trying to be a leader and not wanting to make mistakes.”
Fans Have Taken Notice
On social media, Duke fans are already raising questions:
“Is Foster going to lose his spot in the rotation?”
“What happened to the killer mentality he had coming out of high school?”
“If Sarr keeps rising, Foster might be odd man out…”
Some have even started speculating whether Foster could be a candidate to come off the bench — something nobody was expecting just a month ago.
Can He Turn It Around?
Let’s be clear: It’s still early. And Foster has the tools — size, skill, and experience — to bounce back in a big way. But with Jon Scheyer preaching accountability and competition all summer, nothing is guaranteed. And if Foster doesn’t flip the switch soon, his sophomore campaign might look very different than what Duke fans hoped for.
