With the hours ticking away to top-ranked and overall No. 1 seed Duke playing its first NCAA Men’s Tournament game against Siena in an East Region matchup, the status of Patrick Ngongba II and Caleb Foster remains bleak.
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer shared grim news regarding Ngongba’s health on Wednesday. The Blue Devils, who enter the tournament with a 32-2 record, are scheduled to tip off against the Saints at approximately 2:50 p.m. ET on Thursday at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.
Duke Players Patrick Ngongba II and Caleb Foster Sidelined for Round 1
Scheyer addressed reporters on Wednesday to provide an update on Ngongba’s injury status. The Field of 68’s X account posted Scheyer’s comments. A few days earlier, the head coach had offered some hope that the star center would be able to participate in the East Region first-round contest.
“Yeah, I mean, look, he’s been progressing,” Scheyer said. “As we’ve gotten closer to tomorrow, I think it’s very unlikely, you know, that he plays tomorrow. We’re going to keep taking it day by day and, again, he’s itching to play. But we’re not quite there for tomorrow just yet.”
“He’s been progressing…. I think it’s very unlikely that he plays tomorrow.”
Jon Scheyer on Patrick Ngongba’s latest injury status pic.twitter.com/wCqROvVTtU
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 18, 2026
Ngongba is currently sidelined with a right foot injury. A 6-foot-11 sophomore center out of Manassas, Virginia, Ngongba averaged 10.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game during the regular season while shooting 60.2% from the floor.
As for Foster, the junior guard suffered a fractured right foot against North Carolina on March 7 and subsequently underwent surgery. It is highly unlikely Foster will return to the court in the near future, with reports suggesting he would only be available if the Blue Devils reach the Final Four.
Kyle Tucker, director of college basketball content for 247Sports, posted a photo of Foster in a walking boot on his X account.
Your update on Duke’s Caleb Foster: pic.twitter.com/W3fWZ4dj2b
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTuckerCBB) March 18, 2026
Foster, a native of Harrisburg, North Carolina, averaged 8.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists for Duke this season. He shot 44.2% from the field across 31 games.
Without these two key contributors, Scheyer must adjust his rotation for Thursday’s matchup. Despite the injuries, the Blue Devils remain heavy favorites to advance in the tournament.
Scheyer and the Duke medical staff will continue to monitor Ngongba, holding out hope that the big man can return to the lineup later in the tournament. For Foster, the situation remains a long-term recovery process.
