Who will replace Duke's Caleb Foster for NCAA Tournament? Why the Boozer twins now have a rare opportunity originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Duke's Cayden Boozer is expected to step into a larger role after Caleb Foster suffered a foot fracture.
The Blue Devils will be without the starting guard for the "foreseeable future" after the injury, creating a major rotation shift as the team prepares for the postseason.
Jon Scheyer announced Tuesday that Foster underwent surgery Sunday and will miss the rest of the season. He did not set a timetable on his return, but acknowledged the top-ranked Blue Devils would likely be without him for the NCAA Tournament.
Foster, a 6-foot-5 junior, is Duke’s fourth-leading scorer, averaging 8.5 points and 2.8 assists across 31 games. He suffered the injury during the first half of Saturday’s win over North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball and did not return.
In Foster’s absence, freshman guard Cayden Boozer is expected to take on an expanded role in the backcourt.
Boozer already stepped into extended minutes after Foster exited Saturday’s rivalry game, playing 29 minutes while finishing with seven points, five rebounds and three assists. The former four-star recruit, who was ranked the No. 4 point guard in the 2025 recruiting class, has appeared in all 31 games this season with four starts.
He has averaged 6.5 points, 2.8 assists and 2.0 rebounds in about 20 minutes per game while serving as Duke’s primary backup at point guard.
The Boozer twins are the third set to make the NCAA tournament on the same team going back to 2004, according to ESPN. Joey & Stephen Graham (Oklahoma State) helped lead the Cowboys to the 2004 Final Four and 2005 Sweet 16. After that, Caleb & Cody Martin (Nevada) guided the Wolf Pack to the Sweet 16, with Caleb being named Mountain West Player of the Year in 2018.
More: Tom Izzo defends Jeremy Fears' groin kick: 'Stuff happens, you know'
Boozer will likely join his brother, forward Cameron Boozer, in the starting lineup as Duke navigates the postseason. The Blue Devils also hope center Patrick Ngongba II returns from foot soreness by the NCAA tournament after missing the ACC tournament.
Top-seeded Duke opens ACC tournament play in Charlotte Thursday against either Florida State or California.
More college basketball news:
- Darryn Peterson situation not alarming to NBA teams, ESPN insider says
- AJ Dybantsa makes college basketball history never done by NBA stars
- John Calipari says college athletics is broken — Here’s his plan to fix it
- Mike Krzyzewski fights against NCAA Tournament expansion
- Former NBA All-Star slams USC for dropping 'best player', five-star son next?