Patrick Ngongba II

2027 NBA Mock Draft v. 1.0 with @CBSSports Adam Finkelstein

Sam says repeated foot injuries in high school and college are a real worry for NBA teams. If he clears medicals, No. 14 is too low, because he ticks every box teams want from a center: screening, passing, a developing shot, high-level rim protection, multiple coverages and better feet than he gets credit for. Adam notes he's shorter than listed (about 6'9.5) but long, with huge shoulders. For Adam it's all durability: even if he clears medicals, each team has to estimate how many games he'll play.

complete centerrim protectorfoot injuriespassing big

Way Too Early 2027 NBA Mock Draft

Sees Ngongba as a decent long-term Zubac replacement — an excellent passer and rim protector who could go top five in a weaker draft. Injuries are a legitimate concern.

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Way Too Early 2027 NBA Mock Draft | The First Round

Calls Ngongba unique in that his draft case could go many ways: he's probably already shown enough to be an NBA player, but still needs to improve his shooting, passing and rim protection. Parker likes the passing-big archetype while staying slightly skeptical that he'll really explode.

passing bigNBA-ready floormodest upside

Way Too Early 2027 NBA Mock Draft

Calls Ngongba a great interior presence, rim finisher and pick-and-roll big with good shot-blocking instincts. The three (26% on about one attempt a game) is the development point that could make him a floor-spacing big.

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Way Too Early 2027 NBA Mock Draft

Knows Ngongba this late will irritate people: his advanced numbers are excellent, but he needs to stay healthy and make a consistent impact, because he often faded after strong starts. Hopes being Duke's main big lets him take over more consistently.

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Way-Too-Early 2027 NBA Mock Draft | FULL First Round

Thinks Ngongba could have been a first-rounder this year, and returning makes him the focal point of Duke's frontcourt. He protects the rim, finishes, passes from the frontcourt and may stretch the floor (31 threes tried last year), with strong feel; a healthy season could push him much higher.

passing bigrim protectorstretch potential

Way Too Early 2027 NBA Mock Draft (Full First Round)

Calls Ngongba a solid passer who sees the floor well for a center — not as gifted as Cameron Boozer, but very functional — with a high baseline of defensive feel and solid rebounding. Notes Duke dominated with the two of them on the floor together.

passing bigdefensive feelrebounder