Blue Devil Country

Giant Duke Basketball Target Eyes Final Visits Before Decision

Patrick Ngongba II's second Duke basketball visit should be much more entertaining.

Matt Giles

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Paul VI Catholic (Va.) standout senior and prime Duke basketball recruit Patrick Ngongba II, boasting a five-star rating at No. 25 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, is gearing up for return trips to UConn (beginning Friday), Duke (Oct. 20-22), and Kansas State (Oct. 27-29). He visited Michigan and Kentucky in September.

While it seems he'll likely one of those five schools will prevail, as Ngongba isn't planning any more visits, it's worth pointing out that his list of eight finalists also includes Providence, Kansas, and Indiana.

At the USA Basketball Junior National Team Minicamp in Colorado this past weekend, the 6-foot-11, 235-pound versatile big man discussed Kentucky, UConn, Duke, and Kansas State with On3's Jamie Shaw.

While he appeared to enjoy his first official visit with the Blue Devils in June, he didn't get the whole experience since he was there when students and many players were home for the summer. This time, Ngongba will be in a jam-packed Cameron Indoor Stadium for Duke's annual Countdown to Craziness celebration on Oct. 20.

"There was nobody there on campus when I went the first time," he noted to Shaw. "It was just the coaches. So, I'm really just going out to see practice and all the atmosphere. On my first visit there, I was able to see how they were going to use me in their offense and what their plan was for me. So, that was good."

Patrick Ngongba II is a priority for Jon Scheyer and his crew as the only center in his class holding a Duke basketball offer. The Blue Devils have commitments from three 2024 wings: four-star Darren Harris (Ngongba's teammate at Paul VI Catholic), five-star Kon Knueppel, and five-star Isaiah Evans.

Some insiders have assumed Ngongba will likely announce a winner in his high-profile recruitment before the early signing period in November. However, he suggested to Shaw that it might come shortly after that.

"I am planning on making a decision after I finish my visits," he said, "early December."

Top Threat to Blue Devils for Patrick Ngongba II

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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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