By ADAM ZAGORIA
Duke bolstered the No. 1-ranked recruiting class in 2024 by adding Paul VI (VA) and Team Takeover big man Patrick Ngongba on Saturday.
The 6-foot-10 Ngongba chose the Blue Devils over Kentucky and Kansas State. He joins Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 prospect in the class, five-star guard Kon Kneuppel, five-star small forward Isaiah Evans, and four-star small forward and PVI teammate Darren Harris in Duke’s No. 1-ranked class.
“I’ll be going to Duke University,” Ngongba said on 247Sports.com. “I just felt like it was the best situation for me and my family to help me get to the next level.”
He is the fourth PVI player to commit to Duke in recent years following Trevor Keels, Jeremy Roach and Harris.
Patrick Ngongba II
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Ngongba most recently visited Kansas State last weekend. Before that he was at Duke’s Countdown to Craziness along with five-stars V.J. Edgecombe and Flagg, who on Monday committed to the Blue Devils.
“I just felt like I was at home and felt comfortable with it,” he said of his Duke visit.
Ngongba averaged 9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game when Team Takeover won the prestigious Nike Peach Jam in July.
Duke will lose several frontcourt players after this season in projected first-round pick Kyle Filipowski and graduate students Ryan Young and Neal Begovich
“Pat brings a lot of versatility, has ability to be tough around the basket, rebound and rim protect, and has passing and decision-making skills that allow him to be very effective on the perimeter,” Paul VI coach Glenn Farello said. “He can shoot it from all ranges. High-efficiency player. Great in pick-and-roll. And is adept at all ball screen coverages.”
The loaded class at PVI — Ngongba (Duke), Harris (Duke), Isaiah Abraham (UConn), Garrett Sundra (Notre Dame) and Ben Hammond (Rhody) — will all sign on Wednesday.
Duke, meantime, remains involved for five-star guards Dylan Harper of Don Bosco Prep (NJ) and V.J. Edgecombe of Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.).
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