The Duke Blue Devils will not have a full squad for the immediate future. Consensus 2024 top-40 prospect Patrick Ngongba, who is in a walking boot, is “out for the time being” with a left foot injury, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer told the media on Friday morning.
“He’s had foot injuries in his high school career and we’re still getting him back to 100% health. Get him right as quickly and as soon as possible.
It’s not about anything that he’s done. It’s just about getting him to his full 100% productivity on the court, where he can move completely pain free, and also where he can get back to being the level of player he can be. He’s gonna be a terrific player for us.”
Duke 4-Star Freshman Out Indefinitely As Blue Devils Prepare For Exhibition Contest To Benefit Children’s Hospital
Foot injuries have plagued Ngongba throughout his high school prospect. The 6-11 Manassas (Va.) missed his senior campaign due to a right foot injury at St. Paul VI. However, he was very productive on the EYBL tour and did an excellent job as rebounding and protecting the rim at the U18 FIBA AmeriCup for Team USA this summer.
“I definitely feel like my game has improved since I’ve been here at Duke,” Ngongba said. “I definitely want to be out there on the court with my brothers. But, at the same time, my health is more important. Just trying to get better right now.”
While it is unfortunate that Ngongba can’t stay healthy, we will have to see how long he is out. However, he wasn’t expected to see much time this year anyway.
High Expectations for Duke
Duke enters 2024-25 with high expectations. The Blue Devils are a consensus top-10 preseason team despite having 10 newcomers, mainly because Scheyer brought in the No. 1 recruiting class. NBA prospect Cooper Flagg is the the player to watch for the Blue Devils and is named the Newcomer of the Year and Preseason Second Team All-American by the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook.
“I’ve seen a lot of different seasons, different hype, different expectations. With Cooper, I don’t know if we’ve ever had a 17-year-old with as much attention around him — and a lot of it rightfully so with the high school career he’s had and what he’s done,” Scheyer said on Friday. “But we talk about all the things we can control. And that’s been our focus. Cooper does an amazing job of coming to practice to work every day. “
Flagg is not the Blue Devils top freshman. Isiah Evans, Kon Knuepel, and 7-2, 250-pound Khaman Malauch are also expected to see plenty of action.
But it is not all about Duke’s freshmen. The Blue Devils return talented guards Caleb Foster and Tyrese Proctor. Scheyer also brought in transfers Maliq Brown, Sion James, and Mason Gillis.
Blue Devils Raising Money For Duke Children’s Hospital
Duke has a few upcoming fundraising events that will benefit Duke Children’s Hospital. Next Friday (October 4), the Blue Devils men’s and women’s basketball team will host Countdown to Craziness. Countdown to Craziness features a night of entertainment, games, engaging videos, and on-court contests leading up to the introduction of the Blue Devils and the annual Blue-White scrimmage.
According to Matt Giles of Duke Blue Devils on Sports Illustrated, two top 2025 men’s basketball prospects will be on hand for Countdown to Craziness. Giles said Shelton Henderson, the No. 16 prospect in the class, and No. 4 recruit Nate Ament will be on campus next week.
The men’s and women’s teams will then host the third annual Dribble for Victory Over Cancer on October 5, with the funds raised going to pediatric cancer research through the Dick Vitale Pediatric Cancer Research Fund.
Duke to face ASU In Exhibition Contest.
The Blue Devils men will play two exhibition games in October. They will host Division II Lincoln (PA) University in October and Arizona State on October 27. The contest against the Sun Devils, dubbed the “Brotherhood Charity Game,” features the return of Duke legend Bobby Hurley to Cameron Indoor Stadium, which will benefit Duke Children’s Hospital.
“We are excited about the Brotherhood Run, playing Arizona State for a charity exhibition game. This is the first time we’ve done something like this,” said Scheyer. “Duke Children’s Hospital has been a great partner to our program for a long time, starting with Coach K, and to keep that relationship going means a lot to me and to our program. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with them to raise funds and awareness for all the incredible work they are doing.”
Duke opens the regular season on November 4 at home against Maine. The Blue Devils then host Army on November 8 before meeting Kentucky in Atlanta on November 12.
