Duke basketball fans just got the news they’ve been waiting for—Patrick Ngongba II is running it back for another season in Durham!
The 6’11”, 250-pound former five-star recruit has officially confirmed his return for the 2025-26 season, breaking his silence with a bold promise on Duke’s social media: “Gonna be special.”
After missing most of his senior year in high school due to injury, Ngongba made steady strides during his freshman season at Duke. By March, he’d carved out a key role on a Blue Devils squad that went 35-4 and reached the Final Four.
In 30 games, he averaged 3.9 points and 2.7 rebounds in just 10.5 minutes per game, showcasing elite efficiency by shooting nearly 72% from both the field and the free-throw line.
While some of his highly touted classmates are heading to the NBA, Ngongba isn’t done yet. He joins fellow freshmen Isaiah Evans and Darren Harris in announcing they’re coming back for a sophomore season that’s already generating major hype.
