Duke Blue Devils center Patrick Ngongba is looking to uncork a fully healthy sophomore campaign in the 2025-26 season. This is because the Fairfax, Virginia native’s rookie year in the 2024-25 campaign was riddled with injuries as he played only 30 games in total under a strict restriction of playing time at just around 10.6 minutes per contest.
As he has been actively working on strengthening and getting his body to tip-top shape, it seems as though coach Jon Scheyer’s program is hoping that Ngongba stays healthy with the latest on his injuries. In an X post by TV news journalist Jason Evans, Ngongba was spotted in a recent Blue Devils practice session wearing a walking boot on his right leg. There has been no official report on what it could entail.
Nooooo!! Patrick NGongba spotted wearing a boot at Duke Basketball summer workouts. Please let Big Pat be healthy this season! pic.twitter.com/tD2awjYaC0
— Jason Evans (@JasonDukeEvans) June 21, 2025
Back in his senior year of high school at VI Catholic, Ngongba missed almost the entirety of that season with an injury on his right foot. When he eventually made it to the Blue Devils 2024-25 roster, he was once again seen wearing a walking boot in September of 2024. This time, however, it was on his left foot as at that time as coach Scheyer confirmed that Ngongba will be out for the time being.
Ngongba eventually made his season debut in November of last year during a non-conference game against the Wofford Terriers, and logged in for 11 minutes and tallied two points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal to help his team get the victory by a whopping 51 points, 86-35. The incoming sophomore went on to appear in 29 more games for the Blue Devils under a heavy minutes restriction.
For his rookie year of college basketball, Ngongba averaged 3.9 points and 2.7 rebounds per game as he also garnered NCAA tournament experience when he played for around 11.8 minutes a game in Duke’s Final Four run.
Jon Scheyer Says That Patrick Ngongba Stays Ready For The Big Time Moments
In a report by Ryan Haley of Duke Wire in February of this year, Duke Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer was asked about the progression and strides Patrick Ngongba has made towards his game despite his issues with injuries. The tenured tactitian then went on to re-affirm that no matter what, he believes in Ngongba’s ability to stay ready for the biggest moments that could happen in collegiate hoops.
“Pat has always had natural, God-given ability and talents. For him, he started the season late…Sometimes when guys don’t play as many minutes, you can do drill work and all that. We have ‘stay-ready games’ where we have really good competition, and these guys go after one another. To see Pat’s progression, in those games, and in practice, he’s been in some big-time moments,” Scheyer was quoted as saying.
The Blue Devils finished the recently concluded campaign with an overall record of 35-4 (19-1, ACC).
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
