{"id":181215,"date":"2026-03-11T15:54:52","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T19:54:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=181215"},"modified":"2026-03-11T15:54:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T19:54:52","slug":"patrick-ngongba-ii-2026-nba-draft-profile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/03\/11\/patrick-ngongba-ii-2026-nba-draft-profile\/","title":{"rendered":"Patrick Ngongba II 2026 NBA Draft Profile"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite being set to <\/span>miss the ACC Tournament<\/span><\/a>, Duke\u2019s <\/span>Patrick Ngongba II<\/span><\/a> has entered the 2026 NBA Draft as a solid physical big man with potential on both ends of the floor. At 6\u201911\u201d and 250 pounds, Ngongba has shown flashes of being an efficient scorer inside while making intriguing reads from the perimeter, complementing a Duke squad that boasts the potential No. 1 pick in <\/span>Cameron Boozer<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Patrick Ngongba II 2026 NBA Draft Profile<\/h2>\n

<\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n

College Career<\/h3>\n

Ngongba<\/span><\/a> received limited minutes as a freshman (10.5 per game) on a 2024-25 team that ultimately sent five players to the league, including <\/span>Cooper Flagg<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Kon Knueppel<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Khaman Maluach<\/span><\/a>. With Maluach moving on, Ngongba has filled his shoes well as the Blue Devils\u2019 starting center. In 29 games (28 starts), he averaged 10.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 60.2% from the field, 27.6% from three and 69.4% from the free-throw line.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, fans who may be intrigued by Ngongba\u2019s game will have to wait until the NCAA Tournament to watch him, as he has been ruled out of the ACC Tournament with right foot soreness. Head coach Jon Scheyer <\/span>said<\/span><\/a> the priority will be getting Ngongba ready for \u201cthe real thing\u201d as March Madness approaches. For a prospect with a <\/span>history of foot injuries<\/span><\/a>, Ngongba\u2019s health is a key aspect to monitor going forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

Strengths<\/h3>\n

Offense<\/h4>\n

Ngongba primarily scores in the paint on drives and in the post, using his strength to get inside before finishing with a layup or right hook shot. He also has decent athleticism to be a lob threat out of pick and rolls, and\u2014albeit limited\u2014has experience scoring from deep, nailing eight of 30 three-point attempts over two seasons (26.7%).<\/span><\/p>\n

A unique aspect to Ngongba\u2019s offense is his playmaking. He makes precise reads to cutting teammates from the perimeter and serves as an effective connector in high-low situations. His size allows him to manipulate defenses with high-IQ reads from anywhere on the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Defense<\/h4>\n

Ngongba\u2019s strength allows him to absorb contact well defensively, and he\u2019s often in the right place at the right time to rack up swats with ease (32 blocks this season, 48 for his career). He\u2019s also a great defensive rebounder, doubling his total from freshman year (109 vs. 50), using his strength and <\/span>7\u20194\u201d wingspan<\/span><\/a> to his advantage on the glass. Those long arms and the aforementioned IQ even help Ngongba disrupt some passing lanes in the post, poking the ball away while his teammates hustle to gain possession.<\/span><\/p>\n