As the July live periods begin, one of New England’s biggest stock risers is Philipe Ndong.
The 6-foot-9 wing from the Middlesex Magic and Newman has netted eight new Division 1 offers this spring and summer, including from Marquette and Creighton. He debuted in Rivals’ Class of 2027 national rankings at No. 97 this week. And get this: Ndong doesn’t even start for the Magic, one of the top grassroots teams in the country this season. He happily comes off the bench.
“I’m probably the only guy in the country that brings a Top 100 guy off the bench,” Middlesex Magic director Michael Crotty said. “Phil comes off the bench. The way it’s set up, we’re winning ball games, he doesn’t care. We have a Top 100 guy coming off our bench and he doesn’t care. Talk about the ability to have inner confidence and swagger while also having humility and being a team player.”
Before the Magic head out for the final two weekends of its Under Armour Association circuit season – first in Atlanta, Ga., this weekend before championship weekend in Louisville, Ky., from July 16-19 – we caught up with Crotty to go in-depth on Ndong’s game, strengths and potential. Here’s our latest prospect watch.
