WASHINGTON, D.C. — Duke backcourt player Caleb Foster is facing a game-time decision for the Blue Devils’ Sweet 16 encounter against St. John’s on Friday, Jon Scheyer, the coach, announced on Thursday.
Foster, the primary ball-handler for the top-ranked team, has been absent from the past five contests following a foot fracture sustained against North Carolina earlier this month.
The 6-foot-5 junior participated ‘to a minor extent’ in Wednesday’s practice session, and Scheyer indicated that they needed to monitor his condition and improvement leading into Friday’s event.
“He intends to try his utmost to participate in tomorrow evening’s game,” stated the lead mentor for Duke.
Foster was experiencing a remarkable season prior to his setback, commencing in 30 of the squad’s initial 31 contests and contributing an average of 8.5 points, 3.6 boards, and 2.8 dimes, hitting 40.2% of his shots from beyond the arc. He proved instrumental in several of Duke’s most significant victories this season, recording 15 points and 8 assists when facing Arkansas; 20 points versus Louisville; and 12 points and 4 assists during a triumph over then-ranked No. 1 Michigan.
In Foster’s absence, Scheyer has relied upon highly-touted newcomer Cayden Boozer — sibling to Cameron Boozer, who is a leading contender for Duke’s National Player of the Year award — to begin games in the guard position. Boozer posted averages of 13.8 points and 3.2 assists during that period and contributed 19 points and 5 assists in Duke’s opening-round NCAA tournament victory against Siena.
Pat Ngongba, the sophomore pivotman, is likewise anticipated to participate in the Friday evening contest facing the fifth-seeded St. John’s squad (30-6), according to Scheyer. Ngongba, having been a starter for 28 matches this season, was sidelined for five contests due to a foot ailment prior to his comeback for the squad’s second-round triumph against TCU, contributing 13 minutes as a reserve.
Ngongba records an average of 10.5 points and 6.0 boards this season.