The 2026 NBA Draft produced one of the strangest stories of the offseason. Narcisse Ngoy, the 7-foot French center taken 57th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers, told the team he is going to college instead.
Ngoy announced via Instagram that he intends to honor his commitment to Auburn University and play for the Tigers during the 2026-27 season.
“I am thankful for the LA Clippers’ confidence in me. I fully intend to honor my commitment to Auburn University, and I am looking forward to wearing the Auburn Tigers jersey for the 2026-27 season,” Ngoy wrote.
This is not a story of a kid going against his team. Because Ngoy turns 22 this summer, he was automatically eligible for the draft without forfeiting his NCAA eligibility. He never voluntarily declared, so the Clippers were free to pick him knowing he might stay in school. They took the swing anyway.
For the Clippers, this is a smart draft-and-stash play. Ngoy was the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in France’s Elite 2 League last season. Now he gets a free year of development at one of the top college programs in the country. The Clippers keep his rights, save the roster spot, and check back in twelve months.
For Auburn, this is a coup. Coach Steven Pearl is getting a 7-foot rim protector with pro skills who could anchor the Tigers’ frontcourt all season. SEC opponents should not be excited. Auburn just got bigger and longer at the position where it matters most.
The NIL era is what makes this even possible. A decade ago, no second round pick would walk away from guaranteed NBA money for college. Today, Auburn likely has a NIL package that closes most of the gap, plus Ngoy gets to develop in a structured college program rather than ride the bench at Intuit Dome.
This is rare. The story is being framed as the first time in the modern era a second round pick chose to immediately enroll in college after being drafted. The rules around international players turning 22 in their draft year created this loophole. Expect more teams to use it.
The Clippers get a long term play on a high upside center. Ngoy gets to develop without pressure. Auburn gets a difference maker for one season. Everyone wins, which is rare in draft night stories.
If Ngoy puts up the kind of season at Auburn that scouts expect, the Clippers might have stolen the second round.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
