In its second rendition, the 2021 Border League boosted a plethora of talented players and teams from around the nation. Border League’s premier bracket, GEICO Top Flight Invite, has become one of the most anticipated preseason high school tournaments. In an action-packed weekend at Coronado High School in Las Vegas, Nev., Pro Insight was on-hand to cover the showcase and caught up with Oak Hill Academy (VA) / Team Curry (NC) guard and Duke commit Caleb Foster.
Foster was one of the top all-around players throughout the weekend and was a major piece in Oak Hill’s Border League GEICO Top Flight Invite championship victory against a loaded Sierra Canyon squad. He was masterful at dictating pace as well as striking the balance between scoring and running the offense. Putting up a balanced stat line of 15 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 6.3 apg, and 2.7 spg over the course of three games, Foster demonstrated why he’s one of the best point guards in the country.
As part of the Pro Insight Q&A series, Foster discussed his background, his decision to commit to Duke, his off-court interests, and more.
For the next installment of the Pro Insight Q&A series, we present 2023 prospect Caleb Foster, from Harrisburg, North Carolina:
Pro Insight: Can you share a bit about your background?
Caleb Foster: I’m from Harrisburg, North Carolina, right outside of Charlotte. I’ve got a brother on the team, Jordan Marsh. Mom and Dad, I’ve got three sisters that I’m thankful for.
PI: Any other athletes in the family?
CF: Daivien Williamson, he plays at Wake Forest and a cousin Jahon Foster [2024 guard] who plays at Forsyth Country Day in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
PI: Did you play any other sports growing up?
CF: I played a little bit of football, but I didn’t really take it seriously. I’m a basketball kind of guy.
PI: When did you specifically start focusing on basketball?
CF: I would say around eighth grade. I had a huge growth spurt and it was just really what I love to do. Football, I like playing it, but basketball I just fell in love with.
PI: Talk more about your growth spurt — how many inches did you grow?
CF: I think I was about 5’4” or 5’5” and I got up to like 6’3”.
PI: What are your current measurements?
CF: I would say I’m 6’5” and 195 pounds.
PI: Are you the tallest in your family?
CF: Me and my dad are pretty much the tallest. We’re around the same height.
PI: Describe your game — what are your greatest strengths?
CF: My biggest strength is I’m a shooter. I’m trying to become a better floor general, but I’ll do anything it takes to get my team to win.
PI: What about some improvement areas?
CF: Definitely leadership, being more vocal. Off the dribble, reads off pick-and-roll — stuff like that.
PI: What are some underrated aspects of your game?
CF: I would say ball-handling and finishing around the rim.
PI: You play at a smooth, controlled pace — who are some guys you like to watch or model your game after?
CF: My dad always wanted me to watch a lot of Magic Johnson. Of course Coach [Steve] Smith’s old PG Rod Strickland, I watch a lot of his film. Past Duke PGs Kyrie Irving, Quinn Cook, Nolan Smith, Jon Scheyer, my future coach — and that’s pretty much it.
PI: Describe this past summer — how did it go for you?
CF: It was great, I had a great summer with Team Curry. I feel like we learned a lot and the ultimate goal was to continue to get recruited and find a school and I found my home.
PI: What would you say are some of your short term goals for this season?
CF: Winning the national championship and just getting better as a team. Actually winning this tournament [Border League] and just becoming a better leader. Stuff like that.
PI: What are some things you’re doing to become a better leader?
CF: Just huddling the team up at the free throw line and stuff like that to make sure everybody is on the same page.
PI: You recently committed to Duke — what led to that decision?
CF: They told me I could come and potentially be the starting PG. It’s my dream basically and really with their roster setup I’ve got a good chance to come in and play. Coach Scheyer has been great to me, calling me consistently and stuff like that. I feel like that’s the best place for me.
PI: What were you looking for in your school of choice? How did Duke meet those expectations?
CF: I was just looking for a place I would like to play at with a great atmosphere. Somewhere where I could get better and [a program that] puts their players at the next level which is the NBA.
PI: Did you get to know any of the current or former Duke players during the recruiting process? Did they share any advice with you?
CF: Yessir, I got to know all of them pretty much. Paolo Banchero, Jeremy Roach, Trevor Keels, Theo John, Mark Williams, everybody pretty much. They just told me that this is the spot to be and Coach Scheyer is going to let you play free. He’s going to let you play and let you make your own decisions, but also push you to be the best player you can be.
PI: How do you see your role playing out with Duke?
CF: I see me coming in, leading a team right away and getting a national championship.
PI: Off the court, what are some of your hobbies? What do you like to spend your free time on?
CF: Really just chilling with my boys and my family. Try to keep my circle real small. I don’t really have that many hobbies, if I’m not playing basketball or doing school work then I’m watching basketball or football. My family and I are big Pittsburgh Steelers fans. Outside of that it’s all basketball.
PI: You have one hashtag to describe yourself. What is it?
CF: #Smooth or #Calm. I try not to get rattled, that’s something my dad preaches all of the time. Stay composed — if you get rattled you make crazy decisions and stuff. So I just try to stay composed and stay calm during tough times and so far it’s worked.
PI: At the end of the day, what do you hope to be remembered for on and off the court?
CF: Just a great teammate and somebody people like to be around.