2024 four-star center Patrick Ngongba discussing potential Indiana basketball visit

The Indiana basketball program continues to standout to many high-profile prospects in the 2024 and 2025 classes. With a busy summer already in full swing, future visits are starting to take shape and get discussed.

While the IU staff is active pursuing numerous guards and wings in the 2024 class, there are some recent developments among front court prospects. According to sources, Duke is the favorite to land top-5 prospect and Kokomo (Ind.) center Flory Bidunga if it continues to push for a commitment. Bidunga just recently took a visit to Duke and with a decision expected before his high school season, Indiana is trailing in that recruitment as it stands today.

One impact of Bidunga’s recruitment, however, is with top-45 center Patrick Ngongba. Ngongba plays for powerhouse east coast high school Paul VI (Va.) and Team Takeover on the Nike EYBL circuit. IU assistant coach Kenya Hunter has strong ties to both programs.

Ngongba was offered by Duke at the end of May and took an official visit shortly after. The expectation was that the Blue Devils would land Ngongba in due time. The Bidunga news has halted Ngongba’s recruitment slightly.

Now, Indiana is getting more involved with Ngongba and possibly landing a visit from the four-star center. The Hoosiers extended an offer back in May after a good start to the summer.

According to On3.com national basketball reporter Jamie Shaw, Ngongba is in discussion with the Indiana basketball staff about a visit.

“I’m talking with Iowa, Virginia, and Indiana about possibly setting up a visit,” Ngongba told Shaw.

Up to this point, Ngongba has taken visits to Duke, UConn, Kansas State and Providence. That would leave him one final junior year visit available if wanted.

Ngongba has said he wants to narrow his focus in the next few weeks and ultimately make a decision come the fall.

The 6-foot-11 and 235-pound Ngongba is a very strong rebounder and rim protector. He spends most of his time inside the paint on both ends of the floor. His offensive skillset is still developing but his production this summer has been signifiant. He was one of the biggest risers in the most recent rankings update on 247Sports.

“The development of Patrick Ngongba II over the last few months has been impressive in many ways,” 247Sports National Recruiting Director Eric Bossi wrote earlier this month. “The 6-foot-10 big man first hit the 247Sports radar last summer as a hard playing big man who had great positional size. Since then, he’s gotten his body into tip-top condition, Along with his improved conditioning and athleticism, his all-around game has totally taken off. He’s become a pretty reliable scorer in the paint, has significantly improved his touch and he has been adding something new to his game each time he takes the floor. While his current jump is a big one, he’ll be in line for another huge move if he keeps improving throughout the summer.”

His development was shown no more than with his recent 33-point and 18-rebound performance in session four of the EYBL season against Phenom University. In 16 games this summer, Ngongba is averaging 12.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. He’s also shooting 70.3 percent from the field. He is 8-of-12 from three on the season.

Ngongba is ranked No. 42 overall in the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He is the No. 6 overall center in the class.

SEE ALSO: Late portal addition Ithiel Horton offers intriguing skillset Indiana basketball needs

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