Patrick Ngongba II, the 6-foot-11 sophomore centre for the Duke Blue Devils, has sent shockwaves through college basketball with a transformative offseason that has elevated his game to new heights. After a freshman year hampered by a foot injury and limited minutes, Ngongba has emerged from Duke’s summer workouts leaner, faster, and more focused than ever. Reports from practice sessions, as noted by sources like successsport360.com, describe a player who has shed weight, improved his conditioning, and added new dimensions to his skill set, including pick-and-pop plays and three-point shooting. The buzz on X, with posts like “Pat Ngongba hitting multiple three pointers in summer scrimmages,” signals that the Manassas, Virginia native is poised to dominate in the 2025-26 season.
Ngongba’s freshman campaign in 2024-25 was a promising glimpse of his potential, despite averaging just 10.6 minutes across 30 games. According to Sports-Reference.com, he posted 3.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks per game, with an impressive 71.9% field goal percentage. Standout performances included a career-high 12 points against North Carolina in the ACC Tournament and eight rebounds against Mount St. Mary’s in the NCAA Tournament. His efficiency, with an offensive rating of 156.1 per KenPom, showcased his ability to make an impact in limited time. However, injuries and a crowded frontcourt featuring stars like Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown restricted his role, making his offseason transformation all the more significant.
The turning point for Ngongba came during Duke’s summer workouts, where he reportedly redefined his physical profile and expanded his game. Posts on X highlight his ability to space the floor in Duke’s 5-out offence, with one user noting, “Ngongba spaced to the wing in Duke’s 5-out is gonna be a unit this season.” His work with Duke’s strength coaches has improved his mobility, addressing concerns from his high school scouting report about his fluidity as a 235-pound centre. Ngongba’s versatility, including his soft hands, high release point, and passing ability, was evident in his EYBL days with Team Takeover, where he averaged 12.0 points and 7.4 rebounds. His standout 33-point, 18-rebound game against Phenom University foreshadowed the potential he’s now unlocking.
Ngongba’s breakout moment last season came against Virginia on 17 February 2025, when he scored a then-career-high eight points in just 11 minutes, sparking Duke’s offence during a critical stretch. The Duke Chronicle praised his “season-long development,” noting his growing confidence and ability to deliver beyond simple lobs, with clutch layups and a block against Wake Forest. With Maliq Brown’s shoulder injury creating opportunities, Ngongba stepped up, posting a +19 plus-minus against Wake Forest and a career-high 12 points against North Carolina. His return for the 2025-26 season, as announced on sportshakers.com.ng, has Duke fans buzzing about a potential leap into a starring role, especially with a talented incoming class featuring Cameron and Cayden Boozer.
As Duke prepares for the 2025-26 season, Ngongba’s emergence poses a serious threat to the rest of college basketball. His ability to dominate the paint, protect the rim, and now stretch the floor with perimeter shooting makes him a matchup nightmare. Coach Jon Scheyer has praised his work ethic and “God-given ability,” predicting more minutes as Ngongba continues to refine his game. With Duke’s roster loaded with talent like Flagg and the Boozer twins, Ngongba’s versatility could make the Blue Devils unstoppable. The college basketball world is on notice: Pat Ngongba has levelled up, and as one X post warned, “College basketball might not be ready for what’s about to hit.”
