Will Patrick Ngongba play vs TCU in March Madness? Injury update on Duke basketball starter
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Jon Scheyer couldn’t give a definitive answer, but said he is “hopeful” Patrick Ngongba II will play in Duke basketball‘s second round 2026 Men’s NCAA Tournament game against TCU on Saturday, March 21.
The 6-foot-11 sophomore has missed the last five of the top-seeded Blue Devils‘ (33-2) games, last playing March 2 in the 93-64 win over N.C. State.
“We’re about to practice,” Scheyer said on March 20. “I’m hopeful he’s going to be available for tomorrow. We’ll see what he can do in practice today. If all goes well… I know he was itching to play yesterday. Now, he hasn’t done what he needs to do in order to play, but if everything goes well, we’ll see him back in there.”
Ngongba is Duke‘s third-leading scorer, averaging 10.7 points per game, with 6.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists. He has been dealing with what Scheyer called lingering foot soreness, using a walking boot and rover scooter to get around.
“He needs to practice,” Scheyer added. “He needs to just be on the floor and move the way that he needs to to be successful. He’s been ramping up and doing a really good job. We just want to make sure he’s feeling right to play at a high level. Not just to be out there, but to be him.”
Caleb Foster is also out for the Blue Devils, suffering a fractured foot in Duke’s regular season finale vs. UNC on March 7. Down two starters, Duke has turned to a seven-man rotation. Cayden Boozer, coming off a career-high 19 points against Siena, and Maliq Brown have filled the starting roles.
While the Blue Devils have “managed” without him, they no doubt would like to have their big man back “to become complete.”
“End of the day, he just changes the dynamic of our team where other guys aren’t playing out of position as much,” Scheyer said. “We’re able to get a better rotation. And you have a guy who’s a big-time rim threat. His passing, his pick-and-roll defense, his rim protection, he does a lot for our team that changes the dynamic of who we are.”
