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Incoming Duke Basketball Big Man Survives Team USA Cuts

Duke basketball signee Patrick Ngongba II and a couple of Blue Devil targets are among 18 finalists to play in Buenos Aires.
Matt Giles|
Duke basketball signee Patrick Ngongba II
Duke basketball signee Patrick Ngongba II | Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

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Duke Blue Devils

Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer won't be with the USA Basketball Men's U18 National Team when it heads to Buenos Aires for the FIBA AmeriCup, June 3-9. But Scheyer is at the training camp in Colorado Springs, Colo., this weekend as a court coach helping the squad's head coach, Arizona's Tommy Lloyd, decide on the 12-man collection for that upcoming international showcase.

RELATED: Major Duke Target Stands Out in Colorado With Jon Scheyer on Hand

On Saturday afternoon, the coaches dwindled the 28 invitees down to 18 finalists. And the list of those contenders for a spot on the Team USA roster includes the lone Blue Devil signee at the camp in five-star Patrick Ngongba II.

But Ngongba, a 6-foot-11, 235-pound center out of Paul VI Catholic High School (Va.) who ranks No. 25 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite and is one of six pieces to Duke basketball's top-ranked recruiting haul, might not be the only future Blue Devil in that bunch.

No, among the 18 remaining players is a pair of prime 2025 Duke basketball targets.

They are Highland School (Va.) five-star wing Nate Ament, who sits at No. 18 on the 247Sports 2025 Composite and landed an offer from Scheyer while visiting the Blue Devils back in September, and Holy Innocents Episcopal School (Ga.) five-star forward Caleb Wilson, who ranks No. 4 overall in the class and continues to speak highly of Duke in interviews.

ALSO READ: Positive Sign in One Longtime Blue Devil Recruiting Race

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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