Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Recruiting Mastermind Claims 'Best Big Man in Country'

The Duke basketball head coach would rank Patrick Ngongba II significantly higher than fifth among 2024 centers.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer (Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports)
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Paul VI Catholic High School (Va.) center and recent Duke basketball signee Patrick Ngongba II ranks 22nd overall, second in Virginia, and fifth at his position on the 247Sports 2024 Composite.

In the eyes of his future head coach, though, there are no better 2024 prospects in the post than the 6-foot-11, 235-pound Ngongba.

"Pat is the best big man in the country," Jon Scheyer said in the series of videos that Duke basketball posted last week to announce the signings of their five early prizes. "He's a guy who can score inside and out. What we love about him is his incredible skill level.

"He's a great passer. He can really handle the ball. And he can really shoot from beyond the three, as well as score inside. Right hand, left hand, he has great footwork. He's a high-level rebounder."

His production and energy as a relatively nimble giant seem contagious.

"He's somebody that just when you play with him, he really makes everybody better on the court," Scheyer added. "And his ability to block shots on defense, he's got really long arms; he's got great timing. For us, he'll be a force down low. But I can't wait to coach Pat. He's going to be a big-time player at Duke."

And he's not the only one.

He'll arrive in Durham next summer alongside at least three other five-star Duke basketball pickups in Montverde (Fla.) forward Cooper Flagg, Wisconsin Lutheran forward Kon Knueppel, and North Meck (N.C.) forward Isaiah Evans.

That's not to mention Ngongba's Paul VI Catholic teammate, four-star forward Darren Harris.

Patrick Ngongba II, who visited the Blue Devils twice in his recruitment, including the weekend of Countdown to Craziness, was the most recent of the five to commit to Scheyer & Co. with his pledge two weeks ago.

Future Duke Forward Has 'Underrated Quality'

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke basketball recruiting news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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