Duke's Caleb Foster, Patrick Ngongba out for ACC Tournament. When will they return?

Chip Alexander, The News & Observer (Raleigh) on Mar 10, 2026

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DURHAM, N.C. — Duke basketball coach Jon Scheyer said Tuesday that junior guard Caleb Foster suffered a foot fracture in Saturday’s game against North Carolina and underwent surgery Sunday.

Scheyer said Foster has not yet been ruled out of the postseason, saying the player vowed he would return for the No. 1 Blue Devils.

“He’s on the road to recovery,” Scheyer said on a media call. “In his mind and our mind, we’ll do everything we can with our mindset to continue to advance where we can give him a shot to come back. But he will be out for a foreseeable time here.

“He will rehab like crazy. I think the reality of it is we have to advance to the Final Four. Is there a chance earlier? I’m not going to eliminate that right now. But we’re not going to have him the next couple of weeks.”

Center Patrick Ngongba II, who did not play against UNC, also will miss the ACC Tournament with the intention of him being ready for the NCAAs, Scheyer said. Ngongba has been dealing with foot soreness, Scheyer said.

“That’s our focus,” Scheyer said. “We’re going to get him right so that he’s able to join us when we go for the real thing here in the NCAA Tournament.”

Foster started the UNC game and scored five points before he was subbed out with 4:39 to play in the first half after twisting his foot on a defensive play.

“It was just an awkward play,” Scheyer said. “He lunged and it just happened. He wasn’t feeling anything before and it just happened out of nowhere.

“You hate to see it. Some things you feel are preventable and you can manage it, and other times freak things happen. And I think this is one of them with Caleb.”

After a trainer treated his right foot on the bench, Foster was taken to the locker room. Several Blue Devils starters and members of Foster’s family followed the injured guard there.

Foster returned to the bench in the second half wearing a protective walking boot on his right foot. The Blue Devils used a 30-6 run in the second half to roll past UNC, 76-61. Cameron Boozer, the ACC player of the year, had 26 points, 15 rebounds and five assists, and senior Maliq Brown might have been Duke’s best player give the defensive mayhem he caused.

Scheyer, named ACC coach of the year, said after the game he did not anticipate Foster or Ngongba both playing in the ACC Tournament.

With Foster out an extended period of time, it will mean extended minutes for freshman guard Cayden Boozer. He had 29 minutes against the Tar Heels, finishing with seven points, five rebounds and three assists.

“I love the job Cayden Boozer has done all year long,” Scheyer said.

How will Duke respond in the ACC Tournament? The Blue Devils, the top seed, will first play Thursday in the quarterfinals at the Spectrum Center.

“I think our team is really determined to come right back on Thursday and to pick up where we left out, understanding that it’s different without both of those guys, of course,” Scheyer said. “Those guys are a huge part of what we’ve done but we’re not changing the way we play. We’re not changing how we defend and how we guard.

“Part of the beauty of what we’ve done this season is by playing nine guys. ... All seven guys are impactful players, and you can have a really good rotation with those guys.”

Foster suffered a stress fracture in his right ankle in February 2024 and missed the final nine games of his freshman season.

“A similar thing happens this year and I think it’s natural to think, ‘Man, why me’ or ask why is this happening,” Scheyer said. “He’s had an incredible attitude. His focus is on ‘How am I coming back from this?’ ”

This time, the chance of a Foster return, however slight, could bring added motivation for the Devils. Foster’s “voice” in the room and on the bench, will be heard.

“In Caleb’s mind he’s going to be back tomorrow,” Scheyer said, smiling. “So for me I’m with him in the sense of doing something that hasn’t been done. I’m with him in the sense of let’s chase this and let’s keep winning and let’s give him the opportunity to join us.”