Patrick Ngongba II and the Duke Blue Devils are coming off a devastating 73-72 Elite Eight loss in the 2026 NCAA Tournament to Dan Hurley and the Connecticut Huskies. Braylon Mullins sank an iconic last-second game-winner, sending Jon Scheyer and the No. 1 overall seed, 35-3 Blue Devils back home to Durham.
Ngongba did not play up to his standards against UConn, as he was held to just six points and five rebounds. The 6-foot-11 center had a strong freshman season otherwise, putting up big numbers in only 21.9 minutes per game. The Virginia native averaged 10.1 points per game on a lethal 60.6% shooting from the field to go along with 5.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.
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Adlan Elamin is a former teammate of Ngongba; they played together at Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Virginia. Although Ngongba drew most of the national attention as a five-star prospect, Elamin was able to shine as well. As a three-star prospect, he committed to the Utah State Aggies out of high school.
Elamin played in 35 games as a freshman for the Aggies, averaging 6.7 points per game and 3.1 rebounds in only 19.5 minutes per game. The 6-foot-9 forward showed potential as a shooter, going 83% from the free throw line and shooting 30.2% from behind the arc.
On Thursday, it was reported by Joseph Tipton that Elamin will transfer to Cincinnati to join Jerrod Calhoun and the Bearcats for the 2025-26 men’s basketball season. Ngongba took to social media to react to his former teammate’s transfer decision. Under an Instagram post by TiptonEdits breaking the news of the transfer, Ngongba wrote a personal message for Elamin.
"NEWS: Utah State transfer forward Adlan Elamin has committed to Cincinnati," TiptonEdits wrote on Instagram. "Following his coach Jerrod Calhoun, he told @On3. The 6-9 freshman averaged 6.7 points and 3.1 rebounds in under 20 minutes per game this season. Former top-150 recruit."
"Otto ❤️," Ngongba II wrote underneath the post.
Ngonbga and his star freshman teammate Cameron Boozer have yet to announce if they will declare early for the 2026 NBA Draft.
