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Clippers Draft French Center Narcisse Ngoy, Retain Rights

6/26/2026

Summary

Clippers Draft Ngoy

The Clippers selected French center Narcisse Ngoy with the No. 57 pick in the 2026 NBA draft.
Ngoy turns 22 on July 13, making him draft-eligible and slated to play for Auburn in 2026-27.
He averaged 9.7 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks for Poitiers Basket 86 in Élite 2 league.
The Clippers will retain Ngoy’s draft rights during college and will still own them when he turns professional unless they renounce them.

Summary

Clippers Draft

The Clippers drafted Ngoy in the second round, joining a short list of international draftees who will play in the NCAA.
Because Ngoy is a 22-year-old international without a professional contract, NCAA rules let him retain amateur status while the Clippers keep his rights.
The hybrid “draft-and-stash” model sends Ngoy to college instead of overseas, an approach that may inspire other NBA teams to use college-based stashes for international prospects.

Summary

Auburn Adds Ngoy

Auburn adds seven-footer Ngoy after Clippers used a pick from Atlanta Hawks, whose agent Herman Manakyan says he will honor his commitment to the Tigers.
Ngoy is expected to report to campus within one to two weeks, joining Lithuanian wing Mantas Rubštavicius.
Coach Steven Pearl said Ngoy addresses a need for interior defense and rebounding, aiding the Tigers’ depth problems with transfer Thomas Dowd and Owen Freeman.

History

Historical Context

In 1986 the Portland Trail Blazers used the 24th overall pick to select Arvydas Sabonis, but he did not debut in the NBA until 1995 at age 30 after years in Europe. His delayed arrival showed teams could invest heavily in international players. The Los Angeles Clippers’ 2026 draft-and-stash of French forward Narcisse Ngoy follows that same model.

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Clippers Draft Ngoy

The Clippers selected French center Narcisse Ngoy with the No. 57 pick in the 2026 NBA draft.
Ngoy turns 22 on July 13, making him draft-eligible and slated to play for Auburn in 2026-27.
He averaged 9.7 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks for Poitiers Basket 86 in Élite 2 league.
The Clippers will retain Ngoy’s draft rights during college and will still own them when he turns professional unless they renounce them.

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