Overview
- Ngongba, who announced his decision Monday, will return to Duke next season as the program promoted the news on its official account.
- He had been viewed as a borderline or late first-round pick, and returning offers another year to develop and boost his draft stock.
- Last season he averaged 10.1 points and 5.8 rebounds with honorable mention All-ACC honors, then battled foot soreness that limited him in the ACC tournament and early NCAA games.
- His return pairs with point guard Cayden Boozer staying at Duke as Jon Scheyer adds a top-ranked recruiting class and Belmont transfer Drew Scharnowski.
- Experienced big men are scarce in college basketball, so his presence gives Duke continuity in the paint and a proven defensive anchor to open next season.