Blue Devil Country

Two Future Duke Basketball Players Earn Rankings Bump

Duke basketball's signed pair of prep teammates rose several spots among their 2024 peers.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Ricardo Rolon-USA TODAY NETWORK
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Darren Harris and Patrick Ngongba II, who attend what has recently become a Duke basketball pipeline in Paul VI Catholic (Va.), were the only two of five (maybe six) future Blue Devils who saw any movement to their rankings in 247Sports' penultimate update to its stacking up of the 2024 class on Monday.

Harris, the only four-star in Duke's collection, seemed deserving of a considerable boost to his stock. After all, the 6-foot-6, 195-pound sharpshooting wing won the 3-Point Shootout at the prestigious City of Palms Classic in late December and has routinely heated up to prove clutch for one of the nation's premier high school teams.

He climbed seven notches to No. 49 overall in 247Sports' eyes, moving up one rung to No. 56 on the 247Sports 2024 Composite.

Meanwhile, Ngongba's three-spot bump to No. 17 (unchanged composite ranking at No. 22) is somewhat surprising, given the 6-foot-11, 235-pound five-star center has not played since undergoing foot surgery in November.

The other three early Blue Devil signees are five-star prospects sitting alongside Ngongba among the top 20:

  • Wisconsin Lutheran five-star forward Kon Knueppel at No. 16 (No. 15 composite)
  • North Meck (N.C.) five-star forward Isaiah Evans at No. 11 (No. 13 composite)
  • Montverde Academy (Fla.) five-star forward Cooper Flagg at No. 1 (No. 1 composite).

Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer's third top-two haul in as many cycles at the helm remains No. 1 in the country, per 247Sports, albeit with a 70.45 rating that puts the Blue Devils less than one point ahead of No. 2 in fellow recruiting juggernaut Kentucky (69.83).

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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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