Underrated Factor in Duke’s Evans and Ngongba Potentially Returning

Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff are still waiting to hear from several key players from the 2025-26 squad about whether they will return to Durham, declare for the 2026 NBA Draft, or potentially enter the transfer portal.

Likely the two most important of those decisions will come from wing Isaiah Evans and center Patrick Ngongba, two starters from this past season’s squad that went 35-3 and earned a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer talks to a referee March 21, 2026 during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament second round East Region game with TCU at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. | Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Both Evans and Ngongba are currently projected as late first-round picks if they were to declare for this summer’s draft. Around that range, they would likely earn anywhere from $2 to $4 million on their NBA rookie salaries. There’s a great chance that the paycheck would be higher if they returned to college basketball.

Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA;Duke Blue Devils guard Isaiah Evans (3) dribbles the ball past St. John’s Red Storm guard Oziyah Sellers (4) in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Isaiah Evans and Patrick Ngongba in Tough Spot

In this new NIL era of college sports, being a projected first-round pick in the NBA Draft is no longer a surefire explanation to declare. Especially for key contributors on a national title contender like Evans and Ngongba, the payday to return to college could be much more enticing.

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In 2025-26, Ngongba was arguably Duke’s biggest breakout candidate. After averaging 3.9 points and 2.7 rebounds in 10.6 minutes as a rookie, those numbers soared to 10.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 blocks a night on 60.6% shooting…

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Publish date : 2026-04-14 10:00:00

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