This article from SI.com’s NBA Draft page takes a look at Duke big man Patrick Ngongba and what he needs to work on.
They’re correct to say that, while he’s a good athlete, he’s not elite. However, intelligence is a more valuable asset than raw athleticism. Look at some guys who have carved out nice NBA careers despite limited athleticism, at least by NBA standards: Jared McCain, Jalen Brunson, and Luka Doncic, to name a few. Now look how many great athletes have washed out of the league or failed to live up to expectations.
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Never bet against smart players.
Ngongba needs to prove he can stay healthy, but assuming he can do that, he has a lot to offer, and not just post play: “Ngongba will have to be much better to overcome his age, and potentially even add some skills not yet seen. Though it’s not out of the question the NBA values his play-making big archetype, and ancillary skills, enough to take a shot on him in the late-lottery.
“Regardless, he should be a locked-in first-round selection with even limited improvement.”
The ancillary skills include his passing game, which is superb. He brings a lot to the table for any team, and we may see aspects of his game this season that we haven’t see before.
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