Five things: Why Patrick Ngongba is a great fit for Kansas State

1.) Everyone knows by now that there has been a long pursuit from Kansas State for Virginia-based big man Patrick Ngongba. And it makes sense, of course. Though he wasn’t ranked all that high when the Wildcats began chasing his services, he is now the No. 28 player in the country for the 2024 cycle, per On3. That is not the only thing that makes him a great potential addition for K-State. The Wildcats could use an ideal big for their system. Remember, they didn’t sign a ‘5’ in the 2023 class when they added the trio of Dai Dai Ames, RJ Jones and Macaleab Rich. That makes him a great need and someone that has an incredible opportunity awaiting him in Manhattan.

2.) Although Kansas State advanced to the Elite Eight last season, they didn’t have the post position completely solved. They used players there that were more of a temporary bandage. Jerrell Colbert is more like what they envision, but he needed a year of development. Because of his versatility, ability to defend the rim, the pick-and-roll, run the floor, rebound and finish around the hoop, Ngongba is exactly what they want. He would benefit from their playing style and being the exact replica of what they want to deploy on the floor.

Jareem Dowling/Kansas State Athletics

3.) The caribbean connections of both coaches Jerome Tang and Jareem Dowling is valuable for Ngongba. It is a tie and a relationship that can help him further develop and be comfortable while on campus. Dowling has known him since he was a child because he is also from the U.S. Virgin Islands and coaches on the national team just like Ngongba’s mother, Tajama Ngongba. They created and designed a Kansas State U.S. Virgin Islands shirt that they wear often for a reason. They are invested in Ngongba as a recruit, and the Wildcats would be incredibly invested in him as a person and player as well if he chooses K-State.

4.) Nobody has made him more of a priority. Though there are many factors in a college choice, and NIL has shifted recruiting quite a bit, what will always stay true is that it is important to go where you are wanted and prioritized. The strongest case for that is Kansas State. They practically followed Ngongba around all Summer and attended each of his games. While he has options like Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, UConn and Michigan now, they weren’t around on day one like the purple Wildcats.

5.) Though it would be the case for just about any of his excellent options, Ngongba would be part of a pretty elite class at K-State. However, what separates Tang and company from others is that they can couple that with all of the other factors that have already been spotlighted. David Castillo is already in the fold, and they have hosted Derrion Reid for an official visit as well. And while a small sample size, they also won on big stages in year one and made it to the second week of the NCAA Tournament and nearly the Final Four.

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