Duke receives major news regarding Patrick Ngongba’s status originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Duke Blue Devils will have the defensive anchor back next season.
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Patrick Ngongba announced he will be staying in Durham and won’t enter the 2026 NBA Draft. This is major news for Jon Scheyer and the program as this crosses off one of their biggest needs going into the 2026-27 season. Also, getting a proven talent back is a plus.
Ngongba, the 6-foot-11 big man, tested the NBA Draft waters and was projected high at 15th overall, but saw the value in having one more year under Scheyer and his staff to develop and possibly be a lottery pick next year. There was no real need to rush the process and would be moving on as an upperclassman, instead of a sophomore.
Last season was Ngongba’s biggest breakout. He averaged 10.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 60 percent from the field. One of the biggest aspects to take a step forward was his perimeter game. He’s one of college basketball’s best defensive players, but also boosts efforts on both sides of the floor.
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Duke offensively will be set around a good core and, with Ngongba now back, the Blue Devils are retaining one of the best players outside of Cameron Boozer, who’s expected to enter the NBA Draft soon.
