Duke Basketball’s Patrick Ngongba II and Nate Ament Go for Gold
The wait is almost over for Duke basketball fans, as incoming center Patrick Ngongba II and 2025 Blue Devil target Nate Ament prepare to take on Argentina in the FIBA AmeriCup championship game. The highly anticipated matchup is set to tip off at 7:10 p.m. ET on Sunday in Buenos Aires.
Duke basketball’s Patrick Ngongba II in action
The USA Basketball U18 National Team, featuring Ngongba and Ament, has been dominating the competition, with a 3-0 record in group play and convincing wins in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds. Despite their five-star ratings, neither Ngongba nor Ament has seen heavy loads of playing time, but they have still managed to make an impact in their limited minutes on the court.
In Saturday’s 107-69 semifinal victory over Canada, Ngongba tallied two points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal, two blocks, and zero turnovers in just 11 minutes off the bench. Ament, who has been on the Duke basketball wishlist since his visit to Durham in September, logged only seven minutes against the Canadians, totaling two points and two blocks.
“It’s not as though the U.S. squad is struggling. No, the stacked bunch’s closest contest was an 88-66 opening win over Argentina in group play on Monday.” - Source
Later this month, Ngongba will arrive at Duke for summer school and offseason workouts alongside his new teammates. The Blue Devils welcome five other members of the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class, along with four inbound transfers, and they’ll join returning scholarship players Tyrese Proctor, Caleb Foster, and Spencer Hubbard, as well as returning walk-ons Stanley Borden and Neal Begovich.
Team USA celebrates their semifinal win
The FIBA AmeriCup championship game will be streamed live on YouTube, and fans can catch replays of Team USA’s dominating performances in group play and the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds.
The FIBA AmeriCup logo
Will Ngongba and Ament lead Team USA to gold? Tune in on Sunday to find out.
