Blue Devil Country

Top Threat to Duke Basketball for Patrick Ngongba II

The Duke basketball staff looks to impress the towering 2024 talent later this month.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
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Judging by Paul VI Catholic (Va.) five-star Patrick Ngongba II's senior-year official visits, the Duke basketball coaches are up against Kentucky, Kansas State, Michigan, and UConn for the 6-foot-11, 235-pound agile center. But he hasn't trimmed the list of eight contenders he named in July, including Kansas, Indiana, and Providence.

Duke may hold an advantage or two.

Second-year Blue Devil head coach Jon Scheyer and his crew hosted Ngongba, No. 25 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, for an official visit in June. They'll do so again Oct. 20-22, coinciding with Countdown to Craziness and visits from at least two more five-star 2024 Duke basketball targets in Cooper Flagg and VJ Edgecombe.

Then there's the pipeline to Durham from Paul VI Catholic, which produced recent Blue Devil one-and-done Trevor Keels, current Duke senior Jeremy Roach, and one of Scheyer's first of now-three 2024 pledges in Ngongba's teammate, Darren Harris.

However, when asked recently if Kansas State might be the last suitor standing, renowned incognito recruiting insider "Trilly Donovan" noted that Wildcats head coach Jerome Tang, whose staff has deep ties to Ngongba's family, has "got the last visit, which is significant."

Then, despite a report of Ngongba scheduling a return official visit to UConn for the weekend before his trip to Duke and two weeks before his trip to Kansas State, 247Sports' Travis Branham summarized the recruitment as a three-team race, with no mention of the Huskies in that bunch, and pointed out that a decision may soon follow his visits:

"Ngongba seems to be on pace for an early signing period commitment. As of today, there seems to be a big three battling for his talents in Duke, Kansas State, and Kentucky."

While the 247Sports Crystal Ball for the versatile giant remains empty, there is growing chatter that Kansas State may be the frontrunner.

That said, Patrick Ngongba II feels like a top priority for Scheyer. After all, he's the only undecided 2024 big man who has reported an offer from the Blue Devils, and all three of their pledges thus far are wings. And Duke basketball likely loses Kyle Filipowski, along with graduate center Ryan Young, in the spring.

Duke Recruiting: Cooper Flagg Suddenly Cancels One Visit

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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