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He’s Back! Patrick Ngongba Stuns College Basketball World with Shocking Return to Duke Blue Devils—What This Means for Next Season
Durham, NC — April 22, 2025
In a stunning twist that sent shockwaves across the college basketball landscape, Patrick Ngongba II announced his unexpected return to the Duke Blue Devils for the 2025–26 season. The former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American was widely expected to declare for the NBA Draft after a strong sophomore campaign. Yet, in a move that has energized the Duke fanbase and altered the trajectory of the program, Ngongba will don the Blue and White once more.
For college basketball fans, this is more than just another player opting to stay in school. This is a seismic shift. Duke, under head coach Jon Scheyer, is now poised to become one of the most formidable forces in the country, with a legitimate shot at a national title.
Let’s break down why Ngongba’s return is so monumental—and what it means for Duke, the ACC, and the national college basketball picture in 2025–26.
Patrick Ngongba’s announcement came via a heartfelt Instagram post and a brief video that featured highlights from his sophomore season, clips from practice, and scenes of him walking through Cameron Indoor Stadium. The post concluded with the words: “Unfinished Business.”
Shortly afterward, Ngongba spoke to reporters in a hastily arranged Zoom call, where he explained his decision.
“I’ve always dreamed of playing in the NBA. But after talking with my family, Coach Scheyer, and some former Duke players, I realized that I have more growing to do. I love this school, I love my teammates, and I’m not ready to say goodbye.”
Sources close to the program say that Ngongba’s draft stock was projected anywhere between the late first round and early second round. Scouts loved his footwork, rebounding tenacity, and evolving offensive skill set. But they also saw room for refinement in his perimeter defense and consistency.
His decision to stay shocked many, including NBA executives who were preparing to bring him in for workouts. Instead, Duke gets another year of dominance from one of the best big men in college basketball.
He emerged as Duke’s interior anchor, a two-way player who altered shots, gobbled up boards, and developed a reliable mid-range jumper. He had 14 double-doubles and led the ACC in total blocks.
Ngongba’s skill set blends old-school big man strength with a modern flair. He runs the floor well, sets hard screens, and has started to expand his shooting range. While not yet a stretch-five, his free-throw percentage jumped from 58% to 74% between his freshman and sophomore seasons—an indicator of his work ethic and potential as a shooter.
And now, with a full offseason to continue developing under Duke’s elite strength and conditioning program, he could become even more dangerous.
Ngongba returning is like hitting the jackpot in the transfer portal—without even making a move. But when you add that to what Duke already has in place, it becomes clear: the Blue Devils are building a juggernaut.
Returning Stars:
- Caleb Foster: The sharp-shooting guard who took a major leap last year.
- TJ Power: Versatile forward with a high basketball IQ and inside-out scoring ability.
- Jared McCain (potentially returning): There’s still speculation about his draft decision.
Incoming Recruits:
Duke brings in a top-3 recruiting class, featuring:
- Joson Sanon, a five-star point guard with elite court vision.
- Khaman Maluach, a 7-footer from South Sudan who was the talk of FIBA U19.
- Isaiah Evans, a wiry wing scorer who could be a one-and-done.
Ngongba’s presence gives this young team a reliable veteran at the 5—someone who knows the pace of ACC play, understands Duke’s culture, and has the physicality to dominate the paint.
He also allows the freshmen to develop at a natural pace, rather than being thrown into high-pressure roles immediately.
Jon Scheyer’s third year at the helm was already strong—Duke reached the Elite Eight and reasserted itself as a perennial contender. But there were still questions about his ability to develop big men consistently and manage veteran rosters.
Ngongba’s return is not just a win on the court; it’s a major endorsement of Scheyer’s leadership. The fact that a projected NBA draft pick wants to come back shows that Duke’s culture under Scheyer is working.
It also adds something Duke hasn’t had consistently since the early 2010s: veteran leadership in the frontcourt.
With Ngongba leading by example, Scheyer’s 2025–26 squad might be his best yet—and possibly his first Final Four team as head coach.
With North Carolina retooling and Miami potentially losing its top talent to the pros, Duke now sits in pole position to dominate the ACC next season.
Ngongba’s return stabilizes the middle of the floor, allowing Duke to focus on their perimeter attack and transition game. He clogs the paint, commands double teams, and opens up lanes for slashers like Foster and Evans.
Plus, with his improved defense, Duke can switch more confidently, hedge on pick-and-rolls, and control the boards—three areas where they struggled at times this past year.
Expect Duke to be a preseason Top 3 team, possibly even No. 1 depending on who else returns.
Let’s call it what it is: Patrick Ngongba’s return is a game-changer.
It instantly makes Duke a national title contender. With his interior presence, elite recruiting class, and a cohesive coaching staff, the Blue Devils are in rarefied air.
Programs like Kansas, Arizona, Auburn, and UConn—teams also loading up with top transfers and returners—will now have to game-plan around Duke’s newfound strength in the middle.
Moreover, Ngongba’s decision might start a mini-trend. While NIL money wasn’t cited as a primary factor, there’s little doubt that returning to a blue blood like Duke can be more lucrative than being a late second-round pick with no guaranteed NBA deal.
This is a win for college basketball as a whole. Keeping elite talent in the college ranks, even for just one more year, elevates the sport’s competitiveness and storylines.
Ngongba also mentioned something key in his announcement: the Duke Brotherhood.
It’s no secret that former Blue Devils like Jayson Tatum, Zion Williamson, and Paolo Banchero remain close to the program. Ngongba’s return underscores the strength of that network.
In fact, several NBA alumni reportedly called Ngongba to encourage him to come back—not because he wasn’t ready, but because they believed one more year could make him “unmissable” to GMs.
And who knows? Maybe this extra year helps him go from a late first-rounder to a lottery lock.
While Ngongba’s return is a massive win, there’s still work to be done.
To solidify himself as a top NBA prospect, he’ll need to:
- Improve lateral quickness to guard stretch bigs
- Add a reliable 3-point shot (even from the corners)
- Continue to develop his face-up game
- Avoid foul trouble—something that limited his minutes early last season
If he checks even two of those boxes, there’s no question that he’ll be a top-15 pick in 2026.
Ngongba’s return is one of those rare college basketball moments where fans, players, and coaches all win.
For Duke fans, it’s an emotional lift and a sign that the Blue Devils are back in championship form. For Coach Scheyer, it’s a testament to his leadership and a potential launching pad into elite coaching status.
For Ngongba himself, it’s a chance to build his legacy, refine his game, and potentially lead Duke to its sixth national championship.
And for college hoops fans across the country? It’s another reason to tune in.
Because one of the game’s best big men just said, “I’m not done yet.”
Bench: Caleb Foster, Khaman Maluach, Jaylen Blakes, and other five-star depth.
Circle your calendars now: the 2025 Champions Classic, where Duke is expected to face Michigan State at Madison Square Garden. With Ngongba back and a loaded roster behind him, it may just be the beginning of a legendary season in Durham.
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