There’s a special energy swirling around Durham this season — the kind that feels like something big is brewing. The Duke Blue Devils are entering the 2025–26 college basketball campaign with sky-high expectations, a No. 6 national preseason ranking, and a roster brimming with talent. But behind the excitement and bold predictions lies one crucial truth: Duke’s championship hopes could depend on one young man — sophomore center Pat Ngongba.
He’s not the most talked-about Blue Devil. He’s not the flashiest name on the roster. But make no mistake — Ngongba could be the piece that determines just how far Duke goes this year.
The Foundation of a Rising Star
When Ngongba arrived at Duke last year, the expectations were sky-high. The 6-foot-11 center was a highly regarded recruit with size, strength, and untapped potential. Yet, like many young big men, his freshman season was a learning curve. Limited minutes, nagging injuries, and the adjustment to college basketball slowed his early progress.
But as the season unfolded, something changed.
When veteran Maliq Brown went down with an injury, Ngongba got his opportunity — and he made the most of it. He began to show flashes of the player scouts once raved about: active on defense, confident in the post, and steadily improving with each game. His footwork looked sharper, his decision-making more mature, and his effort never wavered.
By the end of the season, it was clear — Duke had found something in this young center.
A New Era — And A New Body
Now, heading into his sophomore campaign, Pat Ngongba looks ready to take over.
With the departure of Khaman Maluach and no true center in Duke’s latest recruiting class, Ngongba is primed to step into a starting role. But this isn’t the same player fans saw a year ago.
He’s leaner. He’s faster. He’s hungrier.
“They used to call him Fat Pat,” Duke associate head coach Chris Carrawell joked during the team’s media day. “Can’t do that anymore. Slim Pat.”
It’s not just a playful nickname — it’s proof of a transformation. Ngongba spent the offseason reshaping his body, getting into elite conditioning form to handle Duke’s fast-paced system. Coaches say he’s in the best shape of his life, prepared to handle heavy minutes and the physical grind of ACC basketball.
And that could make all the difference.
Holding Down The Paint
Duke’s roster this year is as deep as any in the country. With Cameron Boozer, the most hyped freshman in America, joining the frontcourt, and Maliq Brown returning from injury, the Blue Devils have the pieces to be elite inside. But none of it works unless Ngongba steps up as the reliable big man Duke needs.
He doesn’t have to score 20 points a night. His value comes from the things that don’t always make the highlight reel — controlling the glass, protecting the rim, setting screens, and giving Duke a physical identity inside.
At 6-foot-11, his size is a natural asset, but it’s his evolving instincts that could make him truly dangerous. Duke’s staff has worked extensively with him on timing and positioning, turning him into a more consistent rim protector. He’s also improving at defending in space — a must for big men in today’s pace-and-space game.
When Ngongba is active, Duke’s defense becomes elite. When he’s controlling the paint, everything else — from Boozer’s offensive freedom to the guards’ perimeter aggression — flows naturally.
The ACC’s Next Breakout Star?
Don’t be surprised if Pat Ngongba becomes one of the biggest breakout stories in the ACC this season.
The potential is all there. His confidence has grown, his conditioning is sharper, and he’s finally in position to show the nation what he can do over the course of a full season.
He’s no longer the quiet freshman figuring things out. He’s the anchor of Duke’s frontcourt — and possibly one of the most underrated big men in the country.
Inside the program, there’s already talk that Ngongba could become the ACC’s Most Improved Player, and if he continues trending upward, national recognition might not be far behind.
Why His Development Changes Everything
For Duke to compete for another national title, they’ll need balance — and that starts with Ngongba.
With stars like Boozer and an elite guard rotation ready to light up scoreboards, Duke’s offense will be electric. But it’s defense and interior toughness that separate good teams from championship teams. That’s where Ngongba’s growth becomes the X-factor.
When he’s locked in, Duke can run opponents off the floor. His ability to rebound and kickstart transition offense feeds perfectly into Scheyer’s up-tempo system. His screens create space for shooters. His defense discourages drives.
Simply put, Ngongba’s impact will be felt everywhere — even in plays where he doesn’t touch the ball.
The Challenge Ahead
There will be growing pains, of course. The ACC is loaded with strong frontcourts, and Ngongba will face his share of battles against seasoned veterans. But that’s part of his journey. Each challenge will test his physical and mental toughness — the very traits Duke believes he’s built to handle.
He’s already proven he can evolve. Now it’s time to prove he can lead.
Final Thoughts
The Blue Devils have everything they need to make another deep March run — talent, coaching, and chemistry. But if Pat Ngongba can become the steady, dominant presence Duke envisions, the ceiling gets even higher.
Because behind every championship team is a player who does the little things that make the big things possible.
This season, that player might just be Pat Ngongba — Duke’s secret weapon.
