Duke Blue Devils
| HT/WT/WS | 6' 11", 250lbs |
| Age | 20 |
PTS
AST
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Pros:
handles contact well
likely the best passing big in the class; great in face up/post
great touch especially in close
good at boxing out; projects to rebound well
solid screener; good relative to most prospects
good rim protector; racks up a ton of blocks due to insane timing
Cons:
lack of mobility and vertical athleticism; hinders his rim protection
does not stretch the floor
C: great starter
F: doesn’t survive rookie contract
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Shades of:
Projected Role:
Big Board Range:
Strengths
Weaknesses
Final Thoughts
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Low End: Median: High End: Pros: Defense, feel Cons: Athleticism Verdict: Athleticism is largely limited by his foot injuries and as a result, it is questionable if the transition to a P&R big can be seamless. Despite the limited ceiling, the defensive acumen and secondary passing makes for an intriguing bet. Scoring feel around the rim and perimeter shooting also opens up the game even more.
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Comp - Jaylin Williams Physical interior big who rebounds and competes defensively. Understands positioning and brings toughness. Offensive expansion beyond the paint is needed.
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It feels like every year we can count on one of Duke or Kentucky, or both, to have freshman centers who are very raw and don't offer a ton of college production but have massive long-term potential. Patrick Ngongba II is exactly that. He does not flash great stats or production at Duke right now but all it takes is watching their games to see the vision. He obviously has the physical tools at 6'11 and 250lbs with great mobility; but he also has nice touch at the rim and really impressive instincts on both ends of the floor. I am not sure you can profile him to ever be much more than a 8-12 point scorer who gets most of that off lobs and offensive rebounds, but his value will stretch far beyond putting the ball in the basket. He already looks like a really nice connector and facilitator as a big man, a skill that is growing in value exponentially. On defense you know what you're getting; a guy capable of holding his own in most matchups and on the switch and a natural rim protector. Being from Duke you instantly think of recent guys like Maluach and Lively when you hear these traits and I think that is reasonable to compare him to but I would be quite surprised to see him drafted as high as either of them were. I think he's a late first rounder who will go to a playoff team looking to lock down a long term back up center.
NBA Comp: Nic Claxton/Jakob Poeltl
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Big but skilled. Good size and has shown glimpses of an outside shot. like the passing and some of his defense.
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impacts winning with his passing and defensive ability
his improved frame alongside his 7'3 wingspan have been made aware to NBA teams
good to monitor his durability and reliability as a 3-point shooter
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Very good athlete, can move and pop. He shuffles his feet a lot, means he is often in the middle of a movement and it means he can't make a split second contest or movement or whatever. Sometimes looks like he just needs to settle and slow himself down a bit
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Great touch and footwork around the rim Good shot blocker and rim protector Can knock down jump shots Great passer for size and position Good play finisher Solid mover on the perimeter Lacks physicality at times Not a great rebounder Kinda injury prone
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• Key Statistics: ~15.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.5 APG; FG% ~43%, 3PT% ~42%, FT% ~85%; ~0.7 SPG. • Draft Rationale: Ngongba is an intriguing two-way guard with size. At Duke, he played as a wing and point guard hybrid, showcasing a smooth three-point stroke (true shooting guard range and accuracy). He draws comparisons to European shooters. Off the dribble, he can knock down shots or look for teammates. Defensively he uses his height to contest shots, but still has to add strength to guard bigger wings. What makes Ngongba unique is his blend of size and shooting; he was often the “stretch one” for the Blue Devils. His creation off the dribble is developing, but he’s more of an off-ball threat. In the modern NBA, he can fit as a tall guard/wing who spells shooting. The hope is his playmaking grows as he matures, potentially making him a high-IQ combo guard. If he becomes stronger, he’ll slot in as a 3-and-D type. • Ceiling: A shooting guard with star potential like Luka Dončić’s shooting guard role (not skill level but style of tall scoring guard). • Floor: A role player like Troy Brown Jr. – non-elite defender/shooter who can do a bit of everything in reserve minutes