Blue Devil Country

Big Duke Basketball Signee Out Indefinitely With Foot Injury

One of Duke basketball's two Paul VI Catholic prizes is not in action this week.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
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Four-star wing Darren Harris continues to shine for Paul VI Catholic (Va.), a prep powerhouse that has recently churned out two Duke basketball players in guards Trevor Keels and Jeremy Roach. But Harris' teammate, fellow 2024 Blue Devil signee Patrick Ngongba II, is out of commission due to a foot injury.

Ngongba, a 6-foot-11, 235-pound five-star center who ranks No. 22 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, underwent successful foot surgery in November, recruiting insider Adam Zagoria reported on Wednesday after speaking to Paul VI Catholic head coach Glenn Farello.

"Pat is recovering from foot surgery and is out indefinitely," Farello told Zagoria. "We don't know yet [when he'll return to action]. It's too early to tell."

Meanwhile, Harris helped lead the Panthers to an 80-61 win over Millennium (Ariz.) on Monday in their first outing at the prestigious City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla.

The 6-foot-6, 195-pound heralded sharpshooter, boasting a No. 57 composite ranking, tallied 17 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and zero turnovers in his 23 minutes on the court.

Darren Harris and Patrick Ngongba II are set to arrive in Durham next year alongside three others who inked their national letter of intent during November's early signing period.

That top-ranked Duke basketball haul includes the No. 1 overall talent in the cycle, Montverde Academy (Fla.) five-star forward Cooper Flagg. And that's not to mention two more five-star seniors in Wisconsin Lutheran wing Kon Knueppel and North Meck (N.C.) forward Isaiah Evans.

Prime Duke Target Now 'Leaning One Way' in Recruitment

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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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