The 2026 NBA Draft is filled with incredible guards and wings such as Darryn Peterson or AJ Dybantsa. While there are plenty of those players like Peterson and Dybantsa, this draft also has its fair share of great big men as well. One of those talented bigs is Duke center Patrick Ngongba II, who is the frontcourt partner of Cameron Boozer. Despite the spotlight being on Boozer, Ngongba has demonstrated himself as a productive big man with an effective skill set. With his success this season, now is the perfect time to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the Duke sophomore. Let’s dive into a prospect overview of the 2026 NBA Draft prospect, Patrick Ngongba II.
2026 NBA Draft Prospect Overview: Duke Big Patrick Ngongba II
Areas Of Excellence
Excellent Interior Scoring
One of Ngongba’s talents as a player is his interior scoring ability. In particular, Ngongba has demonstrated immense touch around the rim, shooting 74.6% on two-point attempts. He knows how to use his strength and large frame to gain position against opposing players in the post. From there, Ngongba utilizes his skilled footwork to outwork defenders and score efficiently. Plus, his strength and physicality allow him to finish through contact. Ngongba is fully capable of scoring in the pick-and-roll as well as operating in the post. With his combination of strength, touch, and skill, Ngongba is an excellent interior scorer who can be a threat inside the paint.
Intriguing Passing Ability
To go along with his scoring, Ngongba has shown numerous flashes of solid passing ability. Averaging 2.3 assists per game this season, Ngongba has demonstrated great court vision and passing skill from the middle. He has the vision to spot cutters and open teammates and the skill to get them the ball. In fact, Ngongba has put on display multiple great passes this season, treading the needle to find teammates.
Strong Defense And Rebounding
On the defensive end, Ngongba has proven that he is a strong interior defender and an excellent rebounder. Using his size and strength, Ngongba certainly has the physicality and discipline to defend bigs in the post effectively. He is great at using his long arms to block shots and disrupt passing lanes. In combination with that, Ngongba has shown that he has solid defensive awareness, knowing exactly when and where to rotate. In terms of his rebounding, Ngongba’s strength and long arms come into play again. Using his strength, he can carve out space under the basket to gain strong rebounding position. His long arms allow him to get to the ball first, which helps keep possession alive on the offensive end.
Dec 20, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Patrick Ngongba II (21) controls the ball against Texas Tech Red Raiders guards Leon Horner (6) and Christian Anderson (4) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Areas Of Concern
Isn’t A Shooter
One clear area where Ngongba isn’t the best at is his overall shooting ability. Specifically, he hasn’t proven himself to be a good shooter outside of the paint. In terms of his three-point shooting, Ngongba only shoots 26.7% from three on 1.3 attempts per game. While his willingness to take threes demonstrates his confidence, it’s clear that floor spacing isn’t part of his game. Not only is he a poor three-point shooter, but Ngongba isn’t the best free-throw shooter either. This season, he is only shooting 68.8% from the line. Considering his paint scoring, Ngongba needs to improve his percentage from the charity stripe.
Not The Quickest Or Most Athletic
Another clear downside of Ngongba is his overall lack of mobility and athleticism. In particular, he isn’t the type of center who can make explosive plays like Kansas big man Flory Bidunga. On either end, Ngongba relies more on his strength and footwork to gain advantages against opponents. As for his quickness, Ngongba isn’t someone who can reliably switch onto the perimeter to defend guards. Not only that, but his lack of mobility hampers his effectiveness in transition. While he is still an effective player, his lack of quickness and athleticism is something to watch for in his transition to the NBA.
Unfortunate Injury History
One of the most unfortunate aspects of Ngongba is his injury concerns. Specifically, Ngongba has a history of foot injuries to account for. For big men, having multiple foot injuries can raise major red flags in terms of their durability. While it is no guarantee that Ngongba will continue to pick up injuries, his history does indicate that they are a major concern to keep an eye out for.
The Last Word
Overall, Duke Center Patrick Ngongba II is one of the best centers in this year’s draft. He has certainly proven himself to be a tough and reliable center who excels in crucial areas. Specifically, Ngongba is a skilled finisher at the rim who can also make great passing reads from the middle. Not only that, but Ngongba is a strong interior defender who uses his size to handle other bigs and gobble up rebounds. While he isn’t the most versatile player and he has injury concerns, it’s hard to deny Ngongba’s production and polished game. Undoubtedly, Ngongba has the potential to be an incredibly impactful player in the league.
Featured Image: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images