Patrick Ngongba Surprised by Syracuse Offer

The Orange is after one of the top bigs in the 2024 class.

Class of 2024 center Patrick Ngongba stars at Paul VI Catholic High in Virginia. The 6-10, 215 pounder is a four star prospect ranked in the top 100 by On3 and 247Sports. He holds scholarship offers from Notre Dame, Providence, Virginia, Kansas State, Pittsburgh, Iowa, Butler, Wichita State, Ole Miss, Maryland and others. Syracuse is the latest school to offer, doing so on Wednesday. 

"The coaches came to my school," Ngongba said. "Coach Straughn and coach Autry came up. We sat down, they showed me a couple videos on what Syracuse is about, the history of Syracuse and all that. They were telling me that they saw me play last summer and they came to my school once in the fall and watched an open gym. They were saying I made so much improvement and they liked my dedication to the game. Basically just gave me the scholarship right after that.

"I was a little surprised, not going to lie. I just didn't expect it because it was my first time meeting them and talking to them." 

Autry and Straughn also discussed how Ngongba's skill set would fit into Syracuse's system. 

"In the film they were showing me, they were saying how successful they've been when they've had a good big," Ngongba said. "They showed me Rakeem Christmas and a couple other bigs. How many wins they had that season, stuff like that. Then they said they would play through me at the top of the key. Let me make decision. Stuff like that." 

Ngongba does not have any visits scheduled for this summer yet, but says Syracuse is a school he "definitely" wants to see. 

"I would like to see how the players interact with the coaches," Ngongba said. "See how that connection is. I would want a family environment." 

In a self scouting report, the four star center says he is an all around big who impacts the game in multiple ways. 

"My biggest strength is my ability to make plays for myself and others out of the post," Ngongba said. "I protect the rim at a high level, I'd say. I rebound the ball. I'm a team player. I'll do whatever it takes to win." 

Ngongba is an AAU teammate of fellow Syracuse target Donnie Freeman. He says, if it works out, being able to play with Freeman at the next level would be fun. 

"It would definitely be nice because I played with him this year and I played with him last year," Ngongba said. "It would be someone else you know on the court, someone who knows your game. So it would definitely be cool to play with him." 

SUPPORT ALL SYRACUSE

SUBSCRIBE TO ALLSYRACUSE.COM NOW TO GET ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE INSIDER CONTENT

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE FREE ALL SYRACUSE NEWSLETTER TO GET THE LATEST ORANGE UPDATES SENT TO YOUR INBOX

JOIN THE ALL SYRACUSE FORUMS FOR FREE AND DISCUSS THE ORANGE WITH OTHER FANS AND OUR STAFF