Transfer Portal Closes: Duke’s Roster Solidifies as Patrick Ngongba II and Maliq Brown Expected to Return — Blue Devil Nation Breathing Easier

The 2025 college basketball offseason has been chaotic across the country, but for the Duke Blue Devils, the clouds are finally starting to part. As the NCAA transfer portal officially closed on May 1, Duke fans exhaled a collective sigh of relief: star big man Patrick Ngongba II and key forward Maliq Brown are both expected to return for the 2025-26 season.

In an era where roster volatility is the norm and continuity is a luxury, Duke’s stability entering the summer months could be one of the biggest stories in college basketball. What once looked like a potential exodus has now turned into a rare moment of cohesion — and a promising sign that Jon Scheyer’s program remains firmly among the sport’s elite.

The past few months have been anything but smooth for Duke. Following their Sweet 16 exit in March, speculation swirled that the program could face serious attrition. Several key contributors, including Tyrese Proctor and Mark Mitchell, tested the NBA Draft waters, and whispers around the industry suggested that some of Duke’s underclassmen were being heavily courted by rival programs through NIL offers and backchannel recruitment.

When the transfer portal opened in mid-March, names across the country began flooding in at a record pace. Programs like Kansas, Kentucky, and Arizona saw major turnover. Duke, for a brief moment, looked like it might not be immune to the chaos.

Patrick Ngongba II, the 6-foot-11 former five-star center who flashed star potential late in his freshman season, was rumored to be weighing transfer options. Meanwhile, Maliq Brown, the steady and versatile forward who transferred to Duke from Syracuse last year, was being targeted by multiple programs looking to add veteran toughness and rebounding.

The idea of losing either player — let alone both — would have been a devastating blow to Duke’s 2025-26 roster construction. But behind the scenes, Duke’s coaching staff worked tirelessly to stabilize the situation.

Patrick Ngongba II’s decision to stay is monumental for Duke’s frontcourt.

A consensus top-25 recruit in the 2024 class, Ngongba battled some early-season inconsistency but hit his stride by February, showcasing his blend of soft touch, rim protection, and improved footwork. In Duke’s final 10 games, Ngongba averaged 11.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game, flashing the kind of dominant two-way ability that has NBA scouts intrigued.

There was significant fear that a high-profile NIL offer — rumored to be north of $500,000 — from a Big 12 power might lure him away. But according to sources close to the program, Ngongba felt strongly about his development under Duke’s coaching staff and believed another year in Durham could significantly boost his 2026 NBA Draft stock.

His return instantly solidifies Duke’s interior, providing an elite anchor on both ends of the floor. More importantly, it allows Duke to play with a true rim protector — something that will be crucial given the up-tempo, high-octane style Scheyer seems intent on deploying next season.

In a landscape where true centers are becoming rarer, Ngongba’s presence gives Duke a physical and tactical advantage few teams can match.

While Ngongba’s decision grabbed headlines, Maliq Brown’s expected return might be just as important for Duke’s aspirations.

After transferring from Syracuse, Brown quickly became one of the Blue Devils’ most indispensable players. His versatility allowed him to guard multiple positions, crash the glass with ferocity, and provide critical second-chance opportunities on offense.

In 2024-25, Brown averaged 9.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, often tasked with defending the opponent’s best frontcourt player. He embraced the “dirty work” role that so many elite teams need but few players willingly accept.

Brown’s decision to stay wasn’t a foregone conclusion. Programs with significant NIL backing, particularly from the SEC and Big Ten, made overtures. Yet, Brown cited his trust in Duke’s player development program and his belief in the team’s championship potential as reasons for his return.

Simply put, Brown’s presence brings toughness, maturity, and leadership. While he may not fill the box score every night, his ability to impact winning cannot be overstated.

Scheyer entered this offseason under some pressure. After replacing a legend like Mike Krzyzewski, Scheyer’s early returns were solid but not spectacular. Now, with Duke bringing back two critical pieces in Ngongba and Brown — combined with the arrival of a strong freshman class — he has the pieces to mold a title contender.

Duke’s projected 2025-26 starting lineup now features a potent mix of returning veterans and elite young talent:

• PG: Caleb Foster (steady floor general, expected breakout)
• SG: Isaiah Evans (dynamic freshman scorer)
• SF: Mark Mitchell (if he withdraws from NBA Draft, likely starter)
• PF: Maliq Brown (versatile defender and rebounder)
• C: Patrick Ngongba II (rim protector and inside force)

Off the bench, Duke can deploy high-upside wings like Kon Knueppel and Darren Harris, providing shooting and depth.

For the first time since the Krzyzewski era ended, Duke enters a season with true roster continuity — and that’s a scary thought for the rest of college basketball.

One underreported storyline: Duke’s increasingly sophisticated approach to NIL played a significant role in retaining its core players.

The Blue Devil Collective, launched to better position Duke athletes in the new era of college sports, quietly orchestrated a series of endorsement deals and opportunities for players like Ngongba and Brown. Rather than chasing inflated NIL figures elsewhere, Duke players were offered structured packages that emphasized both immediate earnings and long-term brand growth.

In short: Duke didn’t try to outbid other programs; they offered a better overall value proposition.

As one source close to Duke’s NIL operations told Blue Devil Nation, “We’re selling more than a bag. We’re selling legacy, opportunity, and security.”

It’s a model that could become the blueprint for other elite programs navigating the Wild West of NIL.

The rest of the ACC took notice — and not happily. Several rival coaches privately expressed frustration that Duke was able to weather the portal storm.

North Carolina, for instance, lost key contributors to both the NBA Draft and transfer portal. Virginia saw multiple players bolt as well. Florida State and Miami are in various stages of roster rebuilds.

Meanwhile, Duke kept its core and added pieces selectively. That sort of stability in today’s climate? Almost unheard of.

“If you thought Duke was going anywhere, think again,” one anonymous ACC assistant coach said. “They’re going to be a nightmare next year.”

Perhaps the biggest winners? Duke fans.

The past two seasons had many in Durham wondering if the new era of Duke Basketball would ever feel “normal” again. The constant churn of players, early NBA exits, and roster unpredictability left some longing for the stability of the past.

This offseason changed that narrative. With Ngongba and Brown back, along with a slew of exciting newcomers and returning stars, optimism is higher than it’s been since the 2022 Final Four run.

Season ticket sales are already surging, and student enthusiasm around Cameron Indoor Stadium is palpable. For the first time in years, the expectations are national-title high — and that’s exactly how Duke fans like it.

The closure of the transfer portal didn’t just solidify Duke’s roster — it may have reignited Duke’s status as the premier destination in college basketball.

Programs across the country will continue to battle the chaotic forces of the portal and NIL. But at Duke, there is finally a sense of purpose, a renewed focus, and an unmistakable momentum heading into 2025-26.

Patrick Ngongba II could blossom into one of the nation’s best big men. Maliq Brown will continue to embody the toughness that championship teams are built on. And Jon Scheyer, after enduring his share of growing pains, now has a roster that looks ready to contend for it all.

The Blue Devil Nation can breathe easy — and perhaps start dreaming of hanging another banner in the rafters of Cameron Indoor.