Duke basketball continues to command national attention this season, but while the spotlight often finds the program’s biggest names, one Blue Devil has been quietly — and rapidly — transforming into a force that is impossible to ignore. Sophomore center Patrick Ngongba is no longer just a promising young big man. He is blossoming into one of the most impactful players in the ACC, and his breakout is unfolding right in front of everyone’s eyes.
Duke recently wrapped up its three-team “Brotherhood” event with a dominant 93–56 victory over Howard at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The showcase featured programs led by former Blue Devils Kenny Blakeney (Howard) and Greg Paulus (Niagara), giving the event a strong family feel as Duke welcomed back two of its own. And while the Blue Devils expectedly rolled through the mini-tournament with two blowout wins — defeating Howard and Niagara by a combined 95 points — the real story emerging from the hardwood is the evolution of Ngongba.
Every game he plays, he looks more confident, more polished, and more determined to carve out his place as Duke’s next great interior presence.
Over Duke’s last three contests, the 6-foot-11 sophomore has delivered numbers that would turn heads at any level. Ngongba is averaging 15.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game, all while putting up video-game efficiency. He has connected on an astonishing 15-of-16 shots from the field (93.7%) and an equally impressive 15-of-19 from the free-throw line (78.9%) in that span. To top it off, he buried the first three-pointer of his career against Niagara — a small but significant milestone that hints at the expanding versatility in his offensive game.
For anyone who watched Ngongba during his freshman season, his current leap is remarkable but not surprising. Last year, he showed flashes of being an elite rim protector, the kind of defensive anchor Duke could rely on to deter drives and control the paint. But the biggest question surrounding him was whether he could develop into more than just a defensive specialist. His offensive game needed growth — touch, footwork, confidence, and a more diverse scoring package.
In just the first stretch of his sophomore season, Ngongba has answered those questions resoundingly.
His improvement as a roller in pick-and-roll action has been striking. He now navigates screens with purpose, sets hard picks, and makes decisive cuts to the basket. Guards trust him. Defenses fear him. And Duke’s half-court offense has become more dynamic because of it. But his back-to-the-basket game may be where his growth shines most. Ngongba is suddenly finishing in a variety of creative and efficient ways — using soft hooks, strong shoulder bumps, smart angles, and refined footwork that was not nearly as sharp a year ago.
His patience has also evolved. Rather than rushing shots or forcing tough looks, Ngongba reads defenses, uses his size, and waits for the right opportunity. That level of maturity is often the difference between a solid center and a dominant one.
This is not just improvement. This is a transformation.
After averaging only 10.6 minutes per game across 30 appearances as a freshman, Ngongba has become an essential piece of Duke’s rotation in year two. He is no longer simply filling minutes. He is changing games. He is dictating matchups. And he is growing into the type of interior presence that can anchor a championship-caliber team.
Coaches love players who put in the work, and it’s clear that Ngongba spent the offseason sharpening and expanding every aspect of his game. His body language is different. His confidence is different. His impact is different. What once seemed like potential is turning into production — consistent, efficient, reliable production.
And the more he plays, the more he forces everyone — fans, analysts, opponents — to acknowledge that Duke has found its next breakout star.
Of course, the season is still young. There is plenty of basketball left to be played, and Duke will face far tougher tests than Howard and Niagara. But great players don’t wait for big stages to announce themselves. They build momentum, brick by brick, game by game. They grow, they adjust, and they seize every opportunity to improve. Ngongba is doing exactly that.
If his trajectory continues, he won’t just be one of the most improved players in the ACC — he could become one of the most impactful big men in college basketball. His rim protection remains elite, but now he is pairing it with smart decision-making, polished scoring, and a rapidly expanding skill set. That combination is rare. And when it appears, programs like Duke often ride it deep into March.
Right now, Patrick Ngongba is breaking out in real time. He’s not doing it loudly, and he’s not demanding attention. But his game is speaking for itself every night. And soon, the entire college basketball world won’t just notice — they’ll realize that Duke’s next dominant center
