Syracuse Basketball: 4-star center target sets visits to some big-time teams

Syracuse basketball recruit Patrick Ngongba II, one of the hottest prospects across the country in the 2024 class, has scheduled some official visits to a couple of big-name programs.

On3 national analyst Joe Tipton reported not too long ago that the 6-foot-10 Ngongba, a fast-rising four-star center, will officially visit 2023 national champion UConn on June 12-14.

Additionally, Tipton said on Twitter that Ngongba will take an official visit to Duke on June 10 and June 11. The Blue Devils recently offered a scholarship to Ngongba, on May 30 of this year, he said via his Twitter page.

Previously, Ngongba went on official visits to both Providence and Kansas State. Per an article from 247Sports national analyst Travis Branham, Ngongba is also discussing official visits to Iowa and Virginia.

Syracuse basketball needs to get Patrick Ngongba II on campus for a visit to have a chance here.

The Orange coaching staff offered a scholarship to Ngongba in late April, when Syracuse basketball head coach Adrian Autry and assistant coach Brenden Straughn made a visit to Ngongba’s high school.

Soon after the ‘Cuse offered him, Ngongba told SyracuseOnSI publisher Mike McAllister that he “definitely” wanted to take a visit to the Hill. I hope that is still the case, as I don’t think the Orange can prevail in Ngongba’s recruitment unless he makes a trip to Syracuse basketball.

It’s worth noting that beginning on July 1 of this year, the NCAA will allow high-school prospects to take an unlimited number of official visits. Let’s see if the ‘Cuse coaching staff can get Ngongba to Central New York for a visit at some point in the future.

Understandably, Duke offering him is concerning for the Orange’s chances here. But Ngongba has plenty of other suitors, too.

Besides Syracuse basketball and the Blue Devils, his offer sheet includes UConn, Mississippi State, Indiana, Virginia Tech, Providence, Kansas State, Georgetown, Iowa, Virginia, Butler, George Washington, Wichita State, Ole Miss, Maryland, Pittsburgh, George Mason and Notre Dame, among others.

This spring, Ngongba has proven one of the top performers in the 17U division of Nike’s EYBL league on the AAU circuit. He is a standout for the Washington, D.C.-based Team Takeover, which will be one of the favorites to capture this year’s Peach Jam tournament in early July.

Ngongba plays alongside Syracuse basketball 2024 four-star commit Donnie Freeman, a 6-foot-9 power forward, and Orange 2024 four-star target Caleb Williams, a 6-foot-7 wing, for Team Takeover. Ngongba is a rising senior at the powerhouse St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Va.

Syracuse basketball head coach Adrian Autry was an assistant coach at St. Paul VI a while back. Both Autry and ‘Cuse assistant coach Brenden Straughn were previously assistants with the Team Takeover program.