Q. Caleb, your coach says you have no business playing. Walk us through how you got here and why you’re playing and kind of how you’re feeling and how this whole thing came about, if you will.
CALEB FOSTER: Obviously first half of the Carolina game, I had a little injury. I was real stunned. I didn’t know if I was going to be able to bounce back from that, but as soon as the doctor told me that it’s a chance, I just took it and ran with it. That’s where my mindset has been from here on out.
I wanted to come out and provide anything possible, experience, whatever the team needed. I didn’t know what we needed or what to expect, but just providing a boost out there any way I can.
Q. If you could walk us through what have you been able to do, what haven’t you been able to do? How functioning have you been recently?
CALEB FOSTER: I’ve been driving fast on a scooter for about two weeks every day, just trying to be present, and then just a lot of recovery, going early mornings, late nights with Jose and Nick. Credit to them for willing me back and giving me an opportunity to come back and play.
JON SCHEYER: That’s the first time he’s gone 5-on-5 with these guys. There hasn’t been one second of 5-on-5 since he’s come back. I just think that speaks to what he did tonight.
Q. Caleb, with all you’ve been through in your career, you missed March Madness two years ago, last year you got to play in the Final Four, but the team didn’t go forward. How much does that factor into your desire and drive to be out there and help the way you did tonight?
CALEB FOSTER: Since I was a kid, I watched Duke winning National Championships, and I always dreamed of being a part of it. Like I said, whatever I could do to provide a boost to these guys to help us come out with a win.
Q. Cam, I wanted to ask you about what’s the challenge facing a frontcourt like St. John’s and how physical they are?
CAMERON BOOZER: They’re one of the most physical teams we played all year. It’s something we talked about every single day, just their physicality, their pressure. They turn guys over and dominate the boards. That was a big thing we talked about, being strong with the ball and rebounding. Those were the two main things we talked about in this game.
I thought we did a pretty good job overall. We had some stretches where we gave them a run with turnovers, but through the game overall we did a pretty good job weathering the storm.
Q. For Cam and Isaiah, how much of an emotional boost does having Caleb back give to you guys tonight and going forward Sunday and beyond just knowing he’s back on the floor with you guys?
ISAIAH EVANS: Caleb has been a leader for us since day one. Just him coming back just gave us a tremendous boost, insurmountable confidence even though we had high confidence anyway.
And obviously he’s another body that can give us time to rest. So Caleb coming back did a lot for us tonight.
CAMERON BOOZER: It was huge for sure. The biggest thing in games like this is finding a way to win. Just his voice, his competitive spirit really uplifted us. That was a huge part why we went on a run was him talking to us, getting us going, getting downhill and being himself, being confident.
I think the biggest thing is the competitiveness he brings to our team is a huge deal for us for sure.
Q. Caleb, was there a moment you obviously got in a little bit in the first half, but the second half, was there a moment where you’re like, oh, yeah, I’m back, I can do this, I’m back in the flow of things? For Cam, was there a moment you realized this for Caleb?
CALEB FOSTER: I wouldn’t say there was a moment. I was so locked in possession by possession, trying to win the possessions we talked about when I came into the game. I wouldn’t say there was a moment.
CAMERON BOOZER: When he scored four times in a row, I was like, oh, yeah. Yes, sir. That was definitely the moment.
ISAIAH EVANS: Yeah, for me too. When he got those back-to-back buckets, I was like, yeah, like he’s back.
Q. Caleb, when did you get the sense that you might be able to play in this game, and when did it really click that you might be able to do this?
CALEB FOSTER: I would say when I first got hurt. He said two weeks, and that’s where my mind has been ever since. The first two weeks, I tried to be the voice, helping Coach in the huddles, letting my voice be heard and just staying engaged with the team. Like I said, he said two weeks —
JON SCHEYER: Nobody said “two weeks.” You heard “two weeks.”
CAMERON BOOZER: Hey, I heard “two weeks” too.
CALEB FOSTER: That’s where my mindset was at.
This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Everything Duke players said following win over St. John’s
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