The Duke basketball program has landed its biggest development yet.
In a major update, sophomore center has confirmed he will return to the Blue Devils for the 2026–27 season. This is a huge boost for head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff.
The 6’11” center had been deciding between returning to the Blue Devils and declaring for the 2026 NBA Draft. For much of the offseason, his decision seemed uncertain. Ngongba was projected as a late first-round pick, which meant the financial incentive to stay in college could rival—or even exceed—what he’d earn in his first NBA season at that draft position.
Typically, players selected late in the first round make between $2 million and $4 million in their rookie year. There’s a strong possibility Ngongba could earn a similar amount, or even more, by returning to Duke next season. Either way, his decision is a major win for the program moving forward.
Ngongba was arguably Duke’s biggest breakout candidate this past season. As a rookie in 2024-25, the Virginia native averaged 3.9 points and 2.7 rebounds in 10.6 minutes a contest. Those numbers shot up to 10.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 blocks a night on 60.6% shooting from the field in 21.9 minutes a game.
Additionally, Ngongba completely transformed his game, becoming a legitimate NBA prospect. He was one of the most underrated defensive players in all of college basketball last season and established a passing game that completely changed how Duke could operate offensively.
According to EvanMiya.com, Ngongba ranked ninth nationally in Defensive Bayesian Performance Rating and tenth nationally in total Bayesian Performance Rating. Those metrics essentially measure a player’s defensive and total impact for his team when he is on the floor versus when he is not.
What This Means for Duke
In today’s day and age of college basketball, experience and continuity are arguably the two most important factors for a team in terms of roster building. The Blue Devils will now get back their veteran defensive anchor for a team that ranked third nationally this past season in adjusted defensive efficiency at KenPom.
If Ngongba departed for the NBA, that would have left Duke with a major hole to fill down low, given that Maliq Brown had exhausted all of his collegiate eligibility. Ngongba’s return completely changes the Blue Devils’ ceiling next season.
