In an era of college athletics defined by the “revolving door” of the transfer portal, Jon Scheyer took a moment during his historic week to highlight the player he considers the heartbeat of Duke Men’s Basketball. Following his record-breaking 100th career victory on Tuesday night, Scheyer turned the spotlight away from his own accolades to praise junior guard Caleb Foster for “staying the course” in a landscape that practically encourages departure.
For Scheyer, who became the fastest coach in ACC history to reach 100 wins (122 games), the achievement is inextricably linked to the stability provided by Foster. While the Blue Devils’ roster is often headlined by “one-and-done” freshmen like Cameron Boozer, it is the three-year journey of Foster that Scheyer believes serves as the blueprint for the program’s 11–0 start to the 2025–26 season.
The Rarity of Loyalty in the Portal Era
The modern collegiate landscape is one where a dip in playing time usually triggers a notification in the transfer portal. Scheyer was blunt about how rare Foster’s commitment has become. “What Caleb has done doesn’t really happen anymore in college basketball,” Scheyer noted. “Freshman year, he gets an injury that ends his season. A lot of guys would’ve left. Sophomore year, he doesn’t play as much as he wanted and even had a DNP. Most guys would’ve left then, too.”
Instead of seeking a fresh start elsewhere, Foster—a former five-star recruit—chose to “double down” on his development in Durham. This “sticktoitiveness” has transformed him into the vocal leader of a team that currently ranks No. 3 in the nation. Scheyer emphasized that being on a “multi-year journey” with a player allows for a level of trust and tactical shorthand that simply cannot be recruited through the portal.
Surviving the “DNP” and Finding a Gear
Foster’s path to becoming a starter and defensive anchor was not linear. During the 2024–25 season, the 6-foot-5 guard saw his minutes fluctuate wildly, culminating in a “Did Not Play” (Coach’s Decision) that fueled rumors of an offseason exit. Scheyer recalled handling that period with “brutal honesty,” challenging Foster to impact the game beyond the box score.
Foster responded by becoming a master of the “98%”—the hustle plays, defensive rotations, and leadership cues that don’t always show up on a stat sheet. In the recent victory over Lipscomb, Foster’s impact was subtle but vital, tallying eight points and matching a career-high with six rebounds. His poise helped Duke weather a chaotic first half defined by 24 turnovers, eventually settling the offense to secure the 24-point win.
The Anchor of an 11-0 Start
As Duke prepares to face No. 19 Texas Tech at Madison Square Garden this Saturday, Foster’s role as the “steady hand” is more critical than ever. He is the bridge between the coaching staff and a highly talented but young freshman class. By embracing his role as a “Duke lifer,” Foster has helped create a locker room culture that prioritized chemistry over individual statistics.
“I’m very proud of that commitment,” Scheyer said. “As a coach, I’m proud of being able to be on a journey with a guy for multiple years. It gives our program stability in a time when that is incredibly rare.” For the Blue Devil faithful at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Foster isn’t just a guard; he is the living embodiment of the “Brotherhood” philosophy