Duke big man Patrick Ngongba II is returning for his junior season, he announced in a collaboration post with the Duke men’s basketball team’s Instagram on Monday.
Ngongba averaged 10.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.1 blocks last season, each was a career high.
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The 20-year-old started 28 games during his sophomore year after sitting behind Khaman Maluach and Maliq Brown for most of his freshman year. Ngongba broke out late during his freshman year after Brown went down with a dislocated shoulder.
This year, roles were in reverse with Brown stepping into the starting lineup when Ngongba missed five games in March, including Duke’s win in the Round of 64 over Siena. Ngongba was able to return against TCU in the Round of 32 and continued to be a reserve big man for Duke until the team was eliminated against UConn in the Elite Eight.
With Cameron Boozer expected to declare for the Draft and Brown out of eligibility, Ngongba brings stability down low for Duke.
Ngongba will join sophomore point guard Cayden Boozer, who has already announced his return. Isaiah Evans, Dame Sarr and Caleb Foster have also not yet made decisions on whether to return or enter the NBA Draft. Former Blue Devil reserves Nikolas Khamenia and Darren Harris have also entered the transfer portal this offseason.
This story will continue to be updated.
