Duke's Cayden Boozer is gearing up for a more prominent role following Caleb Foster's unfortunate foot fracture. With the Blue Devils' starting guard sidelined for the "foreseeable future," the team faces a significant lineup adjustment as they head into the postseason.
Head Coach Jon Scheyer announced that Foster underwent surgery on Sunday and will miss the remainder of the season. While no specific return date has been set, it’s clear that the top-ranked Blue Devils will likely compete in the NCAA Tournament without him.
Foster, standing at 6-foot-5, has been a vital contributor as Duke’s fourth-leading scorer, averaging 8.5 points and 2.8 assists over 31 games. He sustained the injury during the first half of Saturday’s victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels and did not return to the court.
In light of Foster's absence, Cayden Boozer is expected to step up in the backcourt. Boozer already showcased his potential by logging 29 minutes in Saturday’s rivalry matchup, where he posted seven points, five rebounds, and three assists. This former four-star recruit, ranked as the No. 4 point guard in the 2025 recruiting class, has been a consistent presence in all 31 games this season, starting in four of them.
Boozer has averaged 6.5 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.0 rebounds in approximately 20 minutes per game, serving as Duke’s primary backup at point guard. Now, he is poised to join his brother, forward Cameron Boozer, in the starting lineup as Duke navigates through the postseason. The Blue Devils are also hopeful for the return of center Patrick Ngongba II, who is dealing with foot soreness, by the time the NCAA tournament rolls around.
Interestingly, the Boozer twins are set to become the third set of twins to compete in the NCAA men's basketball tournament on the same team since 2004. Previous duos include Joey and Stephen Graham, who led Oklahoma State to the 2004 Final Four and 2005 Sweet 16, and Caleb and Cody Martin, who took Nevada to the Sweet 16, with Caleb earning the Mountain West Player of the Year title in 2018.