AUBURN, Ala. – With scouts from 20 NBA teams watching, Auburn scrimmaged on Pro Day Thursday at Neville Arena.
“I told our guys that no one has even been drafted because of Pro Day,” Auburn coach Steven Pearl said. “So go out there and continue to do what we do on a day-to-day. I thought our guys competed pretty well today. We made a lot of shots. Our defense still has something to be desired, but offensively we were pretty crisp when we executed and made the simple play and the simple pass.”
One Tiger’s NBA future was already taking shape. Now, his college future is certain as well.
Seven-foot center Narcisse Ngoy.
After Pro Day, Pearl announced that Ngoy, who in June was drafted in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft, has been deemed eligible by the NCAA to play for Auburn for two seasons.
“Narcisse is good to go,” Pearl said, “which is great news.”
“I was really excited and happy,” Ngoy said after Pro Day, in his first visit with reporters.
Ngoy was asleep June 24 when the Atlanta Hawks drafted him, then traded him to the Los Angeles Clippers, who retain his NBA rights.
“I woke up and I was surprised,” recalled Ngoy, explaining his decision to delay his NBA career by playing for Auburn. “For me, the better option is the transition from France to Auburn. I’ve only been in France, so the better transition for me is to play first in Auburn to adapt my play to the American game.”
Not only is Ngoy tall, he’s also wide, listed at a sturdy 280 pounds.
“Rebounding and rim protecting, because I have a 7-5 wingspan,” said Ngoy, who averaged 9.9 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game last season while earning French League 2 MVP honors. “That’s helped me on defense to protect the rim and rebound. Last season in France, I finished best rebounder in the second division. Those are my big strengths on the court.”
Auburn’s rim protectors – Ngoy and 7-foot-1 Bukky Oboye, provide a critical element Pearl’s first Tiger team lacked.
“Narcisse and Bukky, when they play with that motor and that energy, they change the trajectory of our team,” Pearl said.
Ngoy and the Tigers will play their first exhibition game Wednesday against Florida State in Birmingham’s Boutwell Auditorium at 7 p.m. CT. Auburn plays two more exhibitions – Oct. 22 vs. Alabama in Birmingham’s Legacy Arena and Oct. 29 at home against Samford – before Tipoff on the Plains Nov. 4 vs. Southeastern Louisiana.