By SAM LANCE
MESA, AZ — Top-35 class of 2026 prospect Chase Foster is your prototypical modern day forward.
Foster — the 6-foot-9, 200-pound forward out of IMG Academy (FL) and the Team Melo Nike EYBL AAU program — can really do it all. He showed his versatility at EYBL Session 1, averaging 7.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks per game.
“Super talented,” Team Melo head coach John Zito told ZAGSBLOG. “6-foot-9 and he can shoot, pass and dribble. I think he went down to IMG and grew his game from a defensive standpoint, from a physicality standpoint. He rebounds the ball at a higher clip. He’s got so much potential, but I think we’re starting to see that potential kind of translate into some attributes that are going to translate very well to the college level and potentially NBA level.”
Foster is looking to be a leader for the Team Melo program this summer.
“Really just winning, and just showing everybody that I’m capable of scoring and helping my teammates win,” Foster said. “I’m just trying to be an all-around type of player.”
The four-star forward describes himself as a “big guard.” He can score on his own, but he really enjoys getting his teammates buckets.
Foster is the first major athlete in his family. His father and sister played basketball, but only in high school. The forward will likely be the first to play at the next level.
Several programs are after Foster. The forward has reported offers from schools like Florida State, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi State, Penn State, Providence, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, Washington and West Virginia.
Specifically, the staffs of Florida State and Syracuse, as well as the old staffs at Texas A&M (now Maryland) and Maryland (now Villanova) were in to see Foster at IMG Academy. Foster named Georgia and Oklahoma State as two other programs involved. He broke down some of these schools below:
Oklahoma State: “I was in contact with James Miller. He was talking to me like before our high school season started, he was definitely in contact because he was trying to recruit my teammate Kareem Stagg.”
Florida State: “I feel like they develop their players really well. That’s one thing that I do want to take into mind when I commit to a school.” Was in contact with assistant coach Kevin Nickelberry, hasn’t talked to new staff yet.
Syracuse: “I like how they played Donnie Freeman this year, before he got hurt. So I think I kind of play similar.”
Villanova: “I like the way they play their bigs. I did like the way they had Derik Queen playing this year. I think I could come in and play a similar kind of role like that. So I do like that.”
Foster said assistant coach Vince Walden was his primary recruiter at Texas A&M. It’s unclear if Walden will be joining the new staff at Maryland with Buzz Williams or if he’ll be staying with the Aggies.
The four-star plans on taking some visits in June and then narrowing down his list to seven or so schools before or around November. From there, he’ll make his decision. What is Foster looking for in a program to call home?
“Really just a school that’s gonna take me in and treat me as family, tell me what I need to work on,” Foster said. “I’m really trying to come in as a freshman that could play, but I don’t want a program to sugarcoat things.”
Foster is ranked the No. 32 overall prospect in the 2026 class by 247Sports.
“He’s got to continue to get better just in terms of his body,” IMG head coach Sean McAloon said. “Getting stronger, taking bumps, being able to make the plays that he can but not getting bumped off. And then just imposing his will, which is going to come with strength. He’s working there and his body has changed all ready. But yeah, he’s 6-foot-9, super skilled. He can shoot, pass and drive. Rebounds well. So I’m just excited about him in terms of changing his body and getting stronger.”
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