Caleb Foster's pledge big for 2023
Foster's commitment gives Duke a huge building block for the class of 2023.
Caleb Foster’s announcement on Thursday to commit to Duke is a monster get for Jon Scheyer and his staff.
Assistant coach Nolan Smith, who ran point on Foster’s recruitment, is well aware of the importance of bringing in elite talent early in a recruiting class. Obviously, talent attracts talent.
What’s even more important than landing just any five-star prospect, however, is pulling in a top-tier point guard.
Foster is exactly that. The 247Sports composite has the 6-foot-5 junior rated as the No. 3 point guard in his class, but his value shouldn’t be determined solely by rankings.
His early commitment gives the Duke coaching staff leverage with other recruits. Foster is a true point guard and his high basketball IQ gives the Blue Devils an ability to paint a picture of all the opportunities that creates for other elite talent.
So, not only is Duke getting one of the best point guards in the country, it’s getting a player that others will want to take the floor with in the future.
“Brilliant first pick-up by Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith and those guys because the other 2023 recruits will see Foster and want to play with him because of how well he distributes the ball,” Clint Jackson said.
“He’s 6-foot-5 and thinks the game at a high level as a facilitator. He loves to get into the seams of the defense with his dribble penetration and whip the ball to his teammates. He’s a true pass-first type of floor general but he also shoots the ball really well.”
With all of that said, let’s not downplay what Foster can do on the floor aside from distributing the basketball and making those around him better.
“Brilliant first pick-up by Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith and those guys …”
Pay close attention to Clint’s last statement: Foster can shoot the ball in addition to his ability to break down defenders and get into the lane. That’s a trait that serves lead guards well in Durham.
“Point guards who are good shooters do tend to do well at Duke because it helps them get the spacing that they want. He plays at Oak Hill Academy as well, so Steve Smith will have him ready for the big stage.”
The bottom line with Foster is he immediately becomes a difference making commitment. His presence will attract others in his class.
Scheyer, Smith and the rest of the Duke staff were undoubtedly aware of that and made Foster a priority from day one.
“Foster was identified early in the state of North Carolina as a point guard with size, vision and an advanced understanding of being a true point guard.”