Duke coach Jon Scheyer took a long pauseafter being asked about Caleb Foster following theBlue Devils' win over St. John'sin the Sweet 16 on Friday, March 27.
Foster, a junior guard, had started every game forDukethis season before suffering a hairline fracture in his foot against North Carolina on March 7 that required surgery. Twenty days later, Foster scored 11 points – all in the second half – with three rebounds and two assists in Duke's 80-75 win, playing 19 minutes off the bench for the first time in 2025-26.
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Scheyer fought back tears reflecting on Foster's gutsy performance.
"He had no business playing today," he said to CBS Sports' Tracy Wolfson after the game. "He was determined. That was one of the most special performances I've ever seen. He was incredible, even in the huddles what he was doing, and some big-time plays too.
"That's a leader right there and that's a guy that came through for us when we needed him the most."
Foster, one of the most experienced players on Duke's young roster, entered the game averaging 8.5 points with 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game this season, but it's clear his impact was felt against the Red Storm more than his per-game averages suggest.
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Foster even wheeled into his postgame press conference on a scooter after his effort in the win,according to reporters on site.
"I just pour everything into my teammates," Foster said. "I watched them battle, I tried to do whatever I could do to help win, and it was a tough game against a really tough opponent."
Playing against for Duke in March Madness was Foster's goal all throughout rehab after breaking his foot. Scheyer said March 26 that Foster asked for a promise that if he were to work hard every day, he'd get to play again this season.
"He told me, 'Look, if I do this and work hard every day, you got to promise me you'll let me put on this uniform again with our guys,'" Scheyer said.
Foster's return against St. John's was a huge boost, especially in a narrow win. His veteran presence, along with the return of once-injured forward Patrick Ngongba II, has the top-seeded Blue Devils back near the top of the national championship picture heading into the Elite Eight.
It's clear he'll need some rest and rehab, but Foster will look to bring the same valiant effort against St. John's into Duke's next game against the winner of Michigan State and UConn.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Duke coach Jon Scheyer fights back tears after Caleb Foster's return