Auburn basketball fans received a major boost after the 2026 NBA Draft when highly touted incoming center Narcisse Ngoy reaffirmed his commitment to the Tigers despite being selected by an NBA franchise.
Ngoy, a 7-foot international prospect who joined Auburn’s roster earlier this year, was unexpectedly chosen with the 57th overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night. The selection initially created uncertainty among Auburn supporters, who feared the talented big man might immediately begin his professional career rather than head to college.
Those concerns were quickly eased when Ngoy publicly announced that he still plans to enroll at Auburn and play for head coach Steven Pearl during the upcoming season.
In a message shared on social media, the French standout thanked the Clippers for selecting him but made it clear that his immediate future remains on the Plains.
The commitment represents a significant win for Auburn’s revamped roster. Ngoy was one of several key additions brought in to address the Tigers’ lack of size and interior presence. Along with transfers Bukky Oboye from Santa Clara and Owen Freeman from Creighton, Ngoy is expected to play a major role in strengthening Auburn’s frontcourt.
Before joining the Tigers, Ngoy built an impressive résumé playing professionally in France. He emerged as one of the top performers in the French Elite 2 League, earning MVP honors after averaging 9.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. His combination of size, rebounding ability, and defensive impact made him one of the most intriguing international prospects available.
Although Ngoy never formally declared for the NBA Draft, he became automatically eligible because of his age. The Clippers took advantage of the opportunity to secure his future rights through what is commonly known as a “draft-and-stash” strategy. Under this arrangement, Los Angeles retains his NBA rights while allowing him to continue developing before eventually making the jump to the professional level.
The situation is unique because NCAA rules generally prevent players who actively enter the NBA Draft from maintaining college eligibility. Since Ngoy was automatically entered rather than declaring himself, he remains eligible to compete for Auburn. His case is believed to be one of the first examples of a draft-and-stash selection heading directly into college basketball.
According to reports, Ngoy is expected to arrive on Auburn’s campus in the coming days and begin preparations for the 2026-27 season.
The draft also featured another Auburn-related storyline. Former Tigers standout Keyshawn Hall reached an agreement with the Miami Heat as an undrafted free agent after going unselected. He joins former Auburn guard Tre Donaldson in Miami’s organization, continuing the program’s growing presence at the professional level.
For Auburn, however, the biggest takeaway from draft night was Ngoy’s decision to honor his commitment. After briefly worrying that the NBA might lure away one of their most important offseason additions, Tigers fans can now look forward to seeing the talented center suit up in orange and blue. With a retooled roster and significant frontcourt reinforcements, Auburn appears well-positioned to make a strong push during the upcoming season.
Leave a Reply