**Pat Ngongba Just Leveled Up — And the Rest of College Basketball Should Be Worried**
He’s bigger. He’s faster. He’s locked in. And after what we just saw from him, college basketball might not be ready for what’s coming. Pat Ngongba, the towering big man with a skill set that defies his size, has taken his game to another level—and the rest of the sport should be on high alert.
For those who haven’t been paying attention, Ngongba has always been a problem. A 6’11” force with soft hands, a polished post game, and the ability to stretch the floor, he was already a matchup nightmare. But this offseason? Something changed. The reports out of his training sessions, the clips circulating on social media, and the whispers from scouts all say the same thing: **Pat Ngongba isn’t the same player he was last year.** He’s better. Much better.The first thing that jumps out? His body. Ngongba has added muscle without sacrificing agility, making him even more dominant in the paint. Last season, he could be pushed around by bulkier centers, but now? He’s the one initiating contact, finishing through defenders, and holding his ground on both ends of the floor. His conditioning has improved drastically—no more fading in late-game situations. He’s playing with a relentless motor, and that’s bad news for anyone trying to keep up with him for 40 minutes.
But it’s not just strength. His quickness has taken a leap. He’s moving like a guard in transition, beating slower bigs down the floor for easy buckets. Defensively, he’s switching onto smaller players without getting exposed, something that makes him an absolute weapon in modern pick-and-roll coverages. If he was a problem in drop coverage before, now he’s a full-blown defensive cheat code.Ngongba’s offensive game was already advanced for his age. He had a reliable hook shot, could face up and attack closeouts, and even showed flashes of a mid-range jumper. But now? He’s added a consistent three-point shot. If that becomes a legitimate weapon, good luck guarding him. Stretch-fives who can also dominate inside are rare, and Ngongba is on the verge of joining that elite tier.
His passing has also improved. He’s seeing the floor better, making quick reads out of double-teams, and finding cutters with precision. That’s the kind of development that turns a good big man into an offensive hub—a player who can anchor an entire system.The most dangerous part of Ngongba’s evolution isn’t physical or technical—it’s mental. The confidence he’s playing with now is different. He’s not just a role player anymore; he’s embracing the responsibility of being *the guy*. Whether it’s demanding the ball in crunch time, barking out defensive assignments, or leading by example in workouts, he’s carrying himself like a star. And when a player with his tools starts believing he’s unstoppable? That’s when things get scary.The implications are clear: Ngongba is about to have a monster season. He was already a high-major prospect, but now he’s playing like an All-American. Teams that could previously throw single coverage at him will have to adjust, opening things up for his teammates. And if he’s knocking down threes at a respectable clip? Good luck game-planning for him.
Defensively, he’s going to erase mistakes. His improved mobility means he can protect the rim and recover to shooters, making his team’s defense exponentially better. In an era where versatile big men are the most valuable commodities in basketball, Ngongba is becoming the prototype.The scariest thought for opponents? He’s not done improving. Ngongba is still young, still refining his game, and still adding new layers to his arsenal. If this is what he looks like after one offseason, imagine what another year of development will do.
College basketball has been put on notice. Pat Ngongba has leveled up—and the rest of the sport might not be ready for what’s coming.
